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the exhibits and the Architectural Services Department is finalising the building and other requirements. Construction is scheduled to commence in late 1995. Meanwhile, construction of the new wing to the Flagstaff House Museum of Teaware started in July 1994 and is expected to be completed by the end of 1995.
Improvements to Library Services
A new Hong Kong Central Library will be built in Moreton Terrace, Causeway Bay, with the capacity to house 2 million items. Construction of the 11-storey building, which will also accommodate the administrative headquarters of the Council's library services, is expected to begin in September this year for completion in late 1997.
The library computerisation project has enjoyed smooth progress. Nineteen libraries have already been fully computerised. It is expected that the remaining 12 libraries will be computerised by the end of March, which is 3 months ahead of our original schedule.
Computerisation has enabled Council's libraries to handle borrowing and returning of library materials much faster and users to return library materials to any branch library irrespectively of where the materials are borrowed. Users in any library can now have access to the entire library collection through the on-line catalogues with multiple search terms. In addition, computerisation will facilitate close cooperation with the Regional Council libraries in the joint use of library cards and searching of each other's catalogues, and with the libraries of the tertiary institutions bibliographic searching and exchange of information.
URBTIX
To further improve the URBTIX operation, the main computer system hardware and software have undergone major upgrading and as a result, the ticket issuing speed was increased five-fold within the year of 1994. In an effort to further enhance the efficiency of the ticketing operation, the Council is examining the feasibility of the mobile ticketing system. It is hoped that if technical difficulties encountered could be overcome that the new system would bring a new dimension to the ticketing facilities provided by the Council.
Public Toilet Seminar/Symposium and Refurbishment Programme
Before concluding my speech, Members would probably expect me to return to a subject which has been associated with my chairmanship of the Council, that is, the upgrading of public toilet facilities in the urban area. Until the Council launched its campaign to upgrade and expand public toilets, the standard of them was unsatisfactory and the provision of the public toilets was inadequate. I am indeed proud of the improvements we have achieved over these years. In 1993/1994, we saw the complete refurbishment of 6 public toilets, and in 1994/1995, a further 25 public toilets are undergoing refurbishment. Since our toilet refurbishment campaign began in 1991, more than 60 public toilets have been completely renovated or in the process of renovation and plans are in hand for more toilets to be refurbished in the years to come. I am sure that the public have noticed and appreciated the substantial improvement in standard and facilities provided.
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Meanwhile, the Asia Pacific Seminar on Public Toilets was successfully held in May/June last year with over 400 local and 100 overseas delegates from 13 countries attending. The Seminar, which had received world-wide attention, provided a valuable forum for professionals and people connected with various aspects of public toilet management to exchange information and to share experiences in this specific area of interest. To enhance further Hong Kong's standing in the international community in this field, the Council will host the International Public Toilet Symposium in May this year. Under the theme of 'Modern Toilet Culture', it is hoped that, through exchange of knowledge and technology among participating countries, the Symposium will enhance international awareness in the improvement of public toilet facilities and their proper maintenance and management, in order to satisfy the ever increasing demands and expectations of the public.
Conclusion
I For the successful and smooth operation of the UC/USD affairs for the past years, am indebted to you all for your invaluable contribution and wise counsel which have, indeed, been a pillar of strength for me over three years. My sincere thanks are also due to the Department for their hard work and dedication and to the Council Secretariat under the leadership of Mr. Cletus LAU for their loyalty and ardent support.
I propose adoption of the motion in my name.
MR. LO KING-MAN, VICE-CHAIRMAN, URBAN COUNCIL (in English):--I rise to second the motion.
CHAIRMAN (in English):--May I call on the next speaker, Dr. the Honourable Elsie Tu.
DR. THE HONOURABLE ELSIE TU (in English): Mr. Chairman, election years are always tinged with some sadness that we may soon have to say goodbye to some of our Members. That is especially true this year when we know that some appointed Members will not be standing for election and that we are therefore sure to lose them. I hope one day they will be able to return to serve the community as they have served it so well in the past.
Today, I shall not say much about the subject of this Motion because this is the one day in the year when we can speak of wider issues. However, I must mention that anyone touring the areas of urban Hong Kong must be struck by the large number of facilities of all kinds that bear the Urban Council logo, a clear sign of the impact that the Council has on the lives of the Hong Kong people, from shoppers in our markets, to the families that visit our museums, libraries and sports venues, to those who attend our more sophisticated shows in the larger venues such as the Cultural Centre.
Looking back on all our success stories, I think it is only fair to pay tribute to those who went before us, especially after the Council gained financial autonomy in 1973, and notably under the Chairmanship of Mr. A. de O. SALES, with whom I disagreed on many issues, but who set going many of our best projects and left an indelible mark on the work of this Council.
Page 88 of 115
Page 88 of 115
Page 88 of 115
165
164
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
the exhibits and the Architectural Services Department is finalising the building and other requirements. Construction is scheduled to commence in late 1995. Meanwhile, construction of the new wing to the Flagstaff House Museum of Teaware started in July 1994 and is expected to be completed by the end of 1995.
Improvements to Library Services
A new Hong Kong Central Library will be built in Moreton Terrace, Causeway Bay, with the capacity to house 2 million items. Construction of the 11-storey building, which will also accommodate the administrative headquarters of the Council's library services, is expected to begin in September this year for completion in late 1997.
The library computerisation project has enjoyed smooth progress. Nineteen libraries have already been fully computerised. It is expected that the remaining 12 libraries will be computerised by the end of March, which is 3 months ahead of our original schedule.
Computerisation has enabled Council's libraries to handle borrowing and returning of library materials much faster and users to return library materials to any branch library irrespectively of where the materials are borrowed. Users in any library can now have access to the entire library collection through the on-line catalogues with multiple search terms. In addition, computerisation will facilitate close cooperation with the Regional Council libraries in the joint use of library cards and searching of each other's catalouges, and with the libraries of the tertiary institutions bibliographic searching and exchange of information.
URBTIX
To further improve the URBTIX operation, the main computer system hardware and software have undergone major upgrading and as a result, the ticket issuing speed was increased five-fold within the year of 1994. In an effort to further enhance the efficiency of the ticketing operation, the Council is examining the feasibility of the mobile ticketing system. It is hoped that if technical difficulties encountered could be overcome that the new system would bring a new dimension to the ticketing facilities provided by the Council.
Public Toilet Seminar/Symposium and Refurbishment Programme
Before concluding my speech, Members would probably expect me to return to a subject which has been associated with my chairmanship of the Council, that is, the upgrading of public toilet facilities in the urban area. Until the Council launched its campaign to upgrade and expand public toilets, the standard of them was unsatisfactory and the provision of the public toilets was inadequate. I am indeed proud of the improvements we have achieved over these years. In 1993/1994, we saw the complete refurbishment of 6 public toilets, and in 1994/1995, a further 25 public toilets are undergoing refurbishment. Since our toilet refurbishment campaign began in 1991, more than 60 public toilets have been completely renovated or in the process of renovation and plans are in hand for more toilets to be refurbished in the years to come. I am sure that the public have noticed and appreciated the substantial improvement in standard and facilities provided.
Page 88 of 115
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Meanwhile, the Asia Pacific Seminar on Public Toilets was successfully held in May/June last year with over 400 local and 100 overseas delegates from 13 countries attending. The Seminar, which had received world-wide attention, provided a valuable forum for professionals and people connected with various aspects of public toilet management to exchange information and to share experiences in this specific area of interest. To enhance further Hong Kong's standing in the international community in this field, the Council will host the International Public Toilet Symposium in May this year. Under the theme of 'Modern Toilet Culture', it is hoped that, through exchange of knowledge and technology among participating countries, the Symposium will enhance international awareness in the improvement of public toilet facilities and their proper maintenance and management, in order to satisfy the ever increasing demands and expectations of the public.
Conclusion
I For the successful and smooth operation of the UC/USD affairs for the past years, am indebted to you all for your invaluable contribution and wise counsel which have, indeed, been a pillar of strength for me over three years. My sincere thanks are also due to the Department for their hard work and dedication and to the Council Secretariat under the leadership of Mr. Cletus LAU for their loyalty and ardent support.
I propose adoption of the motion in my name.
MR. LO KING-MAN, VICE-CHAIRMAN, URBAN COUNCIL (in English):--I rise to second the motion.
CHAIRMAN (in English):-May I call on the next speaker, Dr. the Honourable Elsie Tu.
DR. THE HONOURABLE ELSIE TU (in English): Mr. Chairman, election years are always tinged with some sadness that we may soon have to say goodbye to some of our Members. That is especially ture this year when we know that some appointed Members will not be standing for election and that we are therefore sure to lose them. I hope one day they will be able to return to serve the community as they have served it so well in the past.
Today, I shall not say much about the subject of this Motion because this is the one day in the year when we can speak of wider issues. However, I must mention that anyone touring the areas of urban Hong Kong must be struck by the large number of facilities of all kinds that bear the Urban Council logo, a clear sign of the impact that the Council has on the lives of the Hong Kong people, from shoppers in our markets, to the families that visit our museums, libraries and sports venues, to those who attend our more sophisticated shows in the larger venues such as the Cultural Cenre.
Looking back on all our success stories, I think it is only fair to pay tribute to those who went before us, especially after the Council gained financial autonomy in 1973, and notably under the Chairmanship of Mr. A. de O. SALES, with whom I disagreed on many issues, but who set going many of our best projects and left an indelible mark on the work of this Council.
Page 88 of 115
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