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of the people of Hong Kong such as transport services have not been touched on. The daily reports on traffic congestion are indeed alarming. If the time wasted by Hong Kong people in traffic jams was employed in a constructive way, one can imagine what achievements could have been made!
'Transport' is one of the municipal matters. Have we ever got involved in it? In the United Kingdom, 'transport' falls within the jurisdiction of a municipality. However, this council has so far no say in such a small matter as this, what can we expect it to achieve in other areas? Besides, though each government department is charged with special responsibilities, yet it is regrettable that they are not under the overall supervision of this Council. I did put forward this idea some years ago, but to no avail. One of the major short-comings of this generation is that discussions are held but no decision is made; even if a decision has been made, no action is taken. We have to vigorously use our brains these days. We should not neglect any important aspects of society. It is undeniable that thanks to a wealth of talents in Hong Kong, not only are our trades booming but Hong Kong is also leading the world in prosperity. But is Hong Kong an ideal society? People may have different views.
Is it due to our incompetence that municipal services cannot expand? Or is it due to our limited powers? or unfavourable situation? My opinion is that the jurisdiction of this Council should be expanded to keep abreast with overall development in Hong Kong. In this connection, I hope that all my colleagues in this Council will do something to minimize the repercussions caused by the Governor's policy address. As an elected member, I am of course happy to see the Governor promoting democracy. One should feel glad that my bid for more elected seats is eventually entertained. However, it grieves one's heart to see that this ironically brings about arguments that have tumbled the stock market, property prices, and the economy in general. As various industries become stagnant, anxiety grows. It is important to know that economy is the back-bone of Hong Kong. With the loss of confidence and the outflow of talents and financial resources, it will be difficult for Hong Kong to maintain its prosperity. In view of this, I hope that the Constitutional reforms can be postponed and that the Sino-British Memorandum of Understanding be adhered to (I always admire the wits of appointed members). On the one hand, the reforms can be implemented by stages while on the other, successors to appointed members can be trained. I always consider that the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong should come first, for, after all, how many more storms can the economy of Hong Kong endure? Mr. Chairman, I hope you will concur with my opinions. With the above remarks, Mr. Chairman, I support the motion.
MR. JOSEPH CHAN YUEK-SUT (in Cantonese):- -Mr. Chairman, Miss YEUNG has left behind many minutes. So I would like to borrow some of the unspent time of Miss YEUNG if I may.
On 8 October 1992, a feature article in the Hong Kong Times read, 'The Urban Council public library service is the Council's greatest merit. Apart from
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setting up public libraries all over the territory, the Council also provides travelling services by mobile library vans, for the convenience of the borrowing public. In our society today, we can no longer find any eager learner who has difficulties in accessing to books. Thanks to the network of libraries in Hong Kong, we need not worry about the problem of buying and borrowing books.'
'The Hong Kong Urban Council is to be commended for the establishment and service of its libraries.'
Mr. Chairman, we work hard to serve the community not because we want to be complimented; but, if what we do can benefit the public and be appreciated by them, it is sufficient proof that our efforts have won their recognition and acceptance. If Council's public library service is indeed our greatest merit, then credit should go to you, Mr. Chairman, as head of the Council, as well as each and every Council member. Then, of course, the contributions of our executive arm, the Urban Services Department, and in particular, our library staff, cannot be left unrecognized. As Chairman of the Libraries Select Committee, I would like to offer them my heartfelt thanks.
Mr. Chairman, though we have achieved a little something, we must not be complacent and come to a standstill. In fact, there is still much room for improvement in our library service. It is our objective to provide one fully-equipped district library for every 200 000 people, to set up 16 more libraries in Council premises by 1997, to bring the number of libraries from the existing 29 to a total of 41, to expand the library stock from the existing 0.7 item per capita to 1 item per capita, and to increase the stock of library materials from 2.69 million items to 3.39 million items.
The Libraries Select Committee has resolved that a Central Library and a well-equipped Central Reference Library be set up on Hong Kong Island to provide better service to the urban residents. Nevertheless, as the Government has no intention to redevelop the City Hall in the next few years, the plan to set up a Central Library has to be deferred. In view of the high land prices and the shortage of land in the Central District, the Government will not consider allocating land for the construction of a library which requires a net floor area of 16 000 M2. As both the population and the commercial sector are moving to the east on Hong Kong Island, we should consider setting aside a site in the spacious Victoria Park, which is under our jurisdiction, for the construction of a UC complex to accommodate a Central Library and a new Council Chamber. To go along with this project, we may as well consider redeveloping the Victoria Park into a multi-purpose cultural park to provide the public with venues and facilities for sports, entertainment, cultural and recreational activities, public assembly and conferences.
With the increasing prosperity and advancement of our society, the expansion of the scope of knowledge and the rising standard of education in general, coupled with the setting up of the Open Learning Institute and the mass return of students studying abroad, the demand for information and academic monograph has been on the increase. Although the Urban Council
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has, in the past few years, been striving to upgrade reference library service, it is still unable to meet public demand. Therefore, we must improve our service in order to keep pace with the changing world. With the allocation of an additional 32 floors in the High Block of City Hall made available in the expansion of the City Hall Library, we should make full use of it to expand our reference library service. Apart from installing microcomputer and network facilities to provide all district libraries with an access to Compact Disc-Read Only Memory Databases, we should also acquire new reference materials, both in Chinese and English, on academic and monographic study. Furthermore, we should also redeposit all of our reference materials in the reference library of Kowloon Central Library in the City Hall Reference Library, so as to enrich the latter's collection, with a view to gradually developing it into a well-equipped central reference library with comprehensive reference materials.
Mr. Chairman, I have been pursuing the Library Computerization Project for 10 years ever since I joined the Council in 1983. Subsequent to our resolution to computerize the UC libraries in February last year, proposals from suppliers of computer systems were invited in March and 3 proposals have been shortlisted for detailed evaluation in June to decide on which computer company was to be commissioned to take up the Council's Library Computerization Project. In the course of evaluation, I have also participated in the local and overseas visits to observe functional demonstrations and undertake benchmark tests of the shortlisted systems in connection with the proposals submitted. The evaluation report is now completed and will be discussed in depth by the Libraries Select Committee to select the most cost-effective computer system that will best suit the needs of the Council's libraries as well as the general public. Installation and other related work is expected to be completed in 3 years' time.
Mr. Chairman, the overseas visits conducted for this library project are the most painstaking ones I have ever participated. We had to work unremittingly even on Saturdays and Sundays, having to watch the leaping and dazzling symbols and figures on the monitor all day long. After a week, I found all group members haggard and exhausted. Nevertheless, in order to fulfill our obligation to the Council and the general public, we still made every effort to do our best and nobody had ever uttered the slightest sign of complaint. In this regard, I would like to thank and pay my tribute to the Council's librarian(s), the Project Co-ordinator, EDP Manager and Deputy EDP Manager. At the same time, I hope that the public will understand that the Council's overseas visit is, in fact, a back-breaking task which is absolutely not the kind of enjoyable free trip as some people may think.
Library Computerization is in no way a simple task of merely acquiring computer hardware and software from the suppliers and having them installed. As a matter of fact, it will bring forth a lot of new work including re-arrangement of work schedule, re-registration of particulars of readers, conversion of existing library information into machine readable format,
Page 76 of 126
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of the people of Hong Kong such as transport services have not been touched on. The daily reports on traffic congestion are indeed alarming. If the time wasted by Hong Kong people in traffic jams was employed in a constructive way, one can imagine what achievements could have been made!
'Transport' is one of the municipal matters. Have we ever got involved in it? In the United Kingdom, 'transport' falls within the jurisdiction of a municipality. However, this council has so far no say in such a small matter as this, what can we expect it to achieve in other areas? Besides, though each government department is charged with special responsibilities, yet it is regrettable that they are not under the overall supervision of this Council. I did put forward this idea some years ago, but to no avail. One of the major short-comings of this generation is that discussions are held but no decision is made; even if a decision has been made, no action is taken. We have to vigorously use our brains these days. We should not neglect any important aspects of society. It is undeniable that thanks to a wealth of talents in Hong Kong, not only are our trades booming but Hong Kong is also leading the world in prosperity. But is Hong Kong an ideal society? People may have different views.
Is it due to our incompetence that municipal services cannot expand? Or is it due to our limited powers? or unfavourable situation? My opinion is that the jurisdiction of this Council should be expanded to keep abreast with overall development in Hong Kong. In this connection, I hope that all my colleagues in this Council will do something to minimize the repercussions caused by the Governor's policy address. As an elected member, I am of course happy to see the Governor promoting democracy. One should feel glad that my bid for more elected seats is eventually entertained. However, it grieves one's heart to see that this ironically brings about arguments that have tumbled the stock market, property prices, and the economy in general. As various industries become stagnant, anxiety grows. It is important to know that economy is the back-bone of Hong Kong. With the loss of confidence and the outflow of talents and financial resources, it will be difficult for Hong Kong to maintain its prosperity. In view of this, I hope that the Constitutional reforms can be postponed and that the Sino-British Memorandum of Understanding be adhered to (I always admire the wits of appointed members). On the one hand, the reforms can be implemented by stages while on the other, successors to appointed members can be trained. I always consider that the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong should come first, for, after all, how many more storms can the economy of Hong Kong endure? Mr. Chairman, I hope you will concur with my opinions. With the above remarks, Mr. Chairman, I support the motion.
MR. JOSEPH CHAN YUEK-SUT (in Cantonese):- -Mr. Chairman, Miss YEUNG has left behind many minutes. So I would like to borrow some of the unspent time of Miss YEUNG if I may.
On 8 October 1992, a feature article in the Hong Kong Times read, 'The Urban Council public library service is the Council's greatest merit. Apart from
Page 75 of 126
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Page 75 of 126
127
setting up public libraries all over the territory, the Council also provides travelling services by mobile library vans, for the convenience of the borrowing public. In our society today, we can no longer find any eager learner who has difficulties in accessing to books. Thanks to the network of libraries in Hong Kong, we need not worry about the problem of buying and borrowing books.'
"The Hong Kong Urban Council is to be commended for the establishment and service of its libraries.'
Mr. Chairman, we work hard to serve the community not because we want to be complimented; but, if what we do can benefit the public and be appreciated by them, it is sufficient proof that our efforts have won their recognition and acceptance. If Council's public library service is indeed our greatest merit, then credit should go to you, Mr. Chairman, as head of the Council, as well as each and every Council member. Then, of course, the contributions of our executive arm, the Urban Services Department, and in particular, our library staff, cannot be left unrecognized. As Chairman of the Libraries Select Committee, I would like to offer them my heartfelt thanks.
Mr. Chairman, though we have achieved a little something, we must not be complacent and come to a standstill. In fact, there is still much room for improvement in our library service. It is our objective to provide one fully-equipped district library for every 200 000 people, to set up 16 more libraries in Council premises by 1997, to bring the number of libraries from the existing 29 to a total of 41, to expand the library stock from the existing 0.7 item per capita to 1 item per capita, and to increase the stock of library materials from 2.69 million items to 3.39 million items.
The Libraries Select Committee has resolved that a Central Library and a well-equipped Central Reference Library be set up on Hong Kong Island to provide better service to the urban residents. Nevertheless, as the Government has no intention to redevelop the City Hall in the next few years, the plan to set up a Central Library has to be deferred. In view of the high land prices and the shortage of land in the Central District, the Government will not consider allocating land for the construction of a library which requires a net floor area of 16 000 M2. As both the population and the commercial sector are moving to the east on Hong Kong Island, we should consider setting aside a site in the spacious Victoria Park, which is under our jurisdiction, for the construction of a UC complex to accomodate a Central Library and a new Council Chamber. To go along with this project, we may as well consider redeveloping the Victoria Park into a multi-purpose cultural park to provide the public with venues and facilities for sports, entertainment, cultural and recreational activities, public assembly and conferences.
With the increasing prosperity and advancement of our society, the expansion of the scope of knowledge and the rising standard of education in general, coupled with the setting up of the Open Learning Institute and the mass return of students studying abroad, the demand for information and academic monograph has been on the increase. Although the Urban Council
Page 75 of 126
Page 75Page 76
Page 76 of 126
128
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
has, in the past few years, been striving to upgrade reference library service, it is still unable to meet public demand. Therefore, we must improve our service in order to keep pace with the changing world. With the allocation of an additional 32 floors in the High Block of City Hall made available in the expansion of the City Hall Library, we should make full use of it to expand our reference library service. Apart from installing microcomputer and network facilities to provide all district libraries with an access to Compact Disc-Read Only Memory Databases, we should also acquire new reference materials, both in Chinese and English, on academic and monographic study. Furthermore, we should also redeposit all of our reference materials in the reference library of Kowloon Central Library in the City Hall Reference Library, so as to enrich the latter's collection, with a view to gradually developing it into a well- equipped central reference library with comprehensive reference materials.
Mr. Chairman, I have been pursuing the Library Computerization Project for 10 years ever since I joined the Council in 1983. Subsequent to our resolution to computerize the UC libraries in February last year, proposals from suppliers of computer systems were invited in March and 3 proposals have been shortlisted for detailed evaluation in June to decide on which computer company was to be commissioned to take up the Council's Library Computerization Project. In the course of evaluation, I have also participated in the local and overseas visits to observe functional demonstrations and undertake benchmark tests of the shortlisted systems in connection with the proposals submitted. The evaluation report is now completed and will be discussed in depth by the Libraries Select Committee to select the most cost-effective computer system that will best suit the needs of the Council's libraries as well as the general public. Installation and other related work is expected to be completed in 3 years' time.
Mr. Chairman, the overseas visits conducted for this library project are the most painstaking ones I have ever participated. We had to work unremittingly even on saturdays and sundays, having to watch the leaping and dazzling symbols and figures on the monitor all day long. After a week, I found all group members haggard and exhausted. Nevertheless, in order to fulfill our obligation to the Council and the general public, we still made every effort to do our best and nobody had ever uttered the slightest sign of complaint. In this regard, I would like to thank and pay my tribute to the Council's librarian(s), the Project Co-ordinator, EDP Manager and Deputy EDP Manager. At the same time, I hope that the public will understand that the Council's overseas visit is, in fact, a back-breaking task which is absolutely not the kind of enjoyable free trip as some people may think.
Library Computerization is in no way a simple task of merely acquiring computer hardware and software from the suppliers and having them installed. As a matter of fact, it will bring forth a lot of new work including re-arrangement of work schedule, re-registration of particulars of readers, conversion of existing library information into machine readable format,
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