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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
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report that the Committee has been progressing well in the provision of library services, particularly the launching of the Computerisation Project. The project, scheduled for completion in next May, is now expected to be completed earlier, possibly in March. Thanks to the close co-operation and concerted efforts of the computer suppliers and members of the Library Computerisation Task Force, programmes of the project are going on smoothly.
At present, conversion of library catalogues into machine-readable format and the trunking and cabling work for 23 libraries have been completed. Acceptance tests for the central computer system are now underway while those for the catalogue and circulation systems are at the final stage. Moreover, tests are being conducted for the on-line public access catalogue and the acquisition system. Computerized book borrowing and returning service is now available in 18 libraries where readers can locate information by using the computerised catalogue.
To meet the need for upgrading library services with this advanced automatic system, we have embarked on an extensive training programme for library staff which embraces courses on cataloguing, book circulation and acquisition, Chinese input methods and central computer operation. Co-operation with the Regional Council has been stepped up to facilitate arrangements on the mutual acceptance of library cards and the share-use of bibliographic database. In addition, a plan is in hand for the development of a network connecting the Council Library System with libraries of local tertiary institutions and major libraries around the world. When all are in place, readers can have access to the bibliographic database of our libraries through their personal computers at home. These sophisticated automatic library facilities will enable the people of Hong Kong to enjoy a better cultural life and their completion in the near future will mark the beginning of a new era of our libraries' information service.
The 5-year development programme of the Libraries Select Committee and the objectives set therein are being carried out as scheduled to provide residents of various districts with adequate library services. The number of Urban Council libraries now stands at 31 and will rise to 42 by 1997 while the provision of free library materials will increase from 0.7 to 1 item per capita. As the lending stock of library materials has exceeded 2.2 million items, the borrowing limit was raised from 3 to 5 items in January 1995.
Any developed, civil country will make it a point to provide central libraries which serve as a measure of national culture and advanced technology. Being a city with rapid economic and technological development, Hong Kong indeed needs a large, well-equipped central library of international standard. We have obtained permission from the Town Planning Board to build the Hong Kong Central Library at Moreton Terrace, Causeway Bay. Standing on a site of 27,000 m2, the 10-storey Central Library will have a gross floor area of 33,800 m2 when completed. In this connection, we have made a duty visit to the United States and Canada to take reference from overseas reputable counterparts in the design of our own central library. Barring unforeseen circumstances, the Hong Kong Central Library which costs more than 200 million dollars will be completed in 1998 as scheduled, marking a new milestone in the Council's library services.
Mr. Chairman, the Council has all along spared no efforts in providing services to the youth. Yet I think more could be done for them. For instance, the current control over the sale of alcoholic beverages, which is intended to prevent abuse by the youth, leaves much to be desired. Presently, any store, provision shop or supermarket in Hong Kong may sell liquor, making it readily accessible to the youth. There are regulations strictly forbidding food premises to sell liquor to any person under 18, but they are scarcely observed. We should review them and make the necessary improvements without delay so that our youth can grow up healthy, both physically and mentally.
Another evil that seriously harms our youth's mental development is the proliferation of indecent and pornographic publications and comics, which heap up at news stands in the street and are easily accessible to the youth. They are corrupting our youth! As it is the Council that issues news stand licences, we are not to say that it's none of our business and just allow the porn literature vendors to do harm to our youth.
Mr. Chairman, I have been with the Urban Council for more than 10 years. I feel that the Council is becoming increasingly politicized. While some may say that politicizing is an inevitable trend brought about by democratic elections, I do think the Council has all along been pursuing its objectives of serving the community and upgrading people's living standard. I hope the Urban Council will uphold this good tradition of attaching importance to people's livelihood and staying out of politics and continue to strive for a better Hong Kong.
Mr. Chairman, with these remarks, I support your motion.
MR. PAO PING-WING (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, Since I have just spoken in the capacity of Chairman of the Finance Select Committee, I would just raise a few points now.
In reviewing the past few years and projecting into the future, we can see that the Council's finance is becoming more and more stable, having surpluses in our budgets. Nonetheless, we still have to try harder to cut down on expenditure without compromising the quality of our services. However, we cannot plead shortage of manpower as the reason for lowering our standard of service. To achieve this, we naturally need to enhance the efficiency of management still further.
In this regard, I suggest three courses of action for consideration.
(1) Streamlined management—We can consider reviewing the establishment of various grades and ranks. Regarding hawker control work in particular, I believe proper arrangement in overall strategy, deployment of manpower and personnel matters will go a long way in solving hawker problems.
(2) High effectiveness in management—Take our large fleet of vehicles which consists of service and other vehicles as an example. If we conduct an in-depth study into the cost-effectiveness of deployment of these vehicles, I think the Council can make further improvement in this aspect.
(3) Green management—The Council should actively implement green management, which means that whether in the formation of policies, the implementation of measures or deciding what methods and materials should
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168
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Page 90 of 115
169
report that the Committee has been progressing well in the provision of library services, particularly the launching of the Computerisation Project. The project, scheduled for completion in next May, is now expected to be completed earlier, possibly in March. Thanks to the close co-operation and concerted efforts of the computer suppliers and members of the Library Computerisation Task Force, programmes of the project are going on smoothly.
At present, conversion of library catalogues into machine-readable format and the trunking and cabing work for 23 libraries have been completed. Acceptance tests for the central computer system are now underway while those for the catalogue and circulation systems are at the final stage. Moreover, tests are being conducted for the on-line public access catalogue and the acquisition system. Computerized book borrowing and returning service is now available in 18 libraries where readers can locate information by using the computerised catalogue.
To meet the need for upgrading library services with this advanced automatic system, we have embarked on an extensive training programme for library staff which embraces courses on cataloguing, book circulation and acquisition, Chinese input methods and central computer operation. Co-operation with the Regional Council has been stepped up to facilitate arrangements on the mutual acceptance of library cards and the share- use of bibliographic database. In addition, plan is in hand for the development of a network connecting the Council Library System with libraries of local tertiary institutions and major libraries around the world. When all are in place, readers can have access to the bibliographic database of our libraries through their personal computers at home. These sophisticated automatic library facilities will enable the people of Hong Kong to enjoy a better cultural life and their completion in the near future will mark the beginning of a new era of our libraries' information service.
The 5-year development programme of the Libraries Select Committee and the objectives set therein are being carried out as scheduled to provide residents of various districts with adequate library services. The number of Urban Council libraries now stands at 31 and will rise to 42 by 1997 while the provision of free library materials will increase from 0.7 to 1 item per capita. As the lending stock of library materials has exceeded 2.2 million items, the borrowing limit was raised from 3 to 5 items in January 1995.
Any developed, civil country will make it a point to provide central libraries which serve as a measure of national culture and advanced technology. Being a city with rapid economic and technological development, Hong Kong indeed a large, well- equipped central library of international standard. We have obained permission from the Town Planning Board to build the Hong Kong Central Library at Moreton Terrace, Causeway Bay. Standing on a site of 27 000 m2, the 10-storey Central Library will have a gross floor area of 33 800 m2 when completed. In this connexion, we have made a duty visit to the United States and Canada to take reference from overseas reputable counterparts in the design of our own central library. Barring unforeseen circumstances, the Hong Kong Central Library which costs more than 200 million dollars will be completed in 1998 as scheduled, marking a new milestone in the Council's library services.
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Mr. Chairman, the Council has all along spared no efforts in providing services to the youth. Yet I think more could be done for them. For instance, the current control over the sale of alcoholic beverages, which is intended to prevent abuse by the youth, leaves much to be desired. Presently, any store, provision shop or supermarket in Hong Kong may sell liquor, making it readily accessible to the youth. There are regulations strictly forbidding food premises to sell liquor to any person under 18, but they are scarcely observed. We should review them and make the necessary improvements without delay so that our youth can grow up healthy, both physically and mentally.
Another evil that seriously harms our youth's mental development is the proliferation of indecent and pornographic publications and comics, which heap up at news stands in the street and are easily accessible to the youth. They are corrupting our youth! As it is the Council that issues news stand licences, we are not to say that it's none of our business and just allow the porn literature vendors to do harm to our youth.
Mr. Chairman, I have been with the Urban Council for more than 10 years. I feel that the Council is becoming increasingly politicized. While some may say that politicizing is an inevitable trend brought about by democratic elections, I do think the Council has all along been pursuing its objectives of serving the community and upgrading people's living standard. I hope the Urban Council will uphold this good tradition of attaching importance to people's livelihood and staying out of politics and continue to strive for a better Hong Kong.
Mr. Chairman, with these remarks, I support your motion.
MR. PAO PING-WING (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, Since I have just spoken in the capacity of Chairman of the Finance Select Committee, I would just raise a few points
now.
In reviewing the past few years and projecting into the future, we can see that the Council's finance is becoming more and more stable, having surpluses in our budgets. Nonetheless, we still have to try harder to cut down on expenditure without compromising the quality of our services. However, we cannot plead shortage of manpower as the reason for lowering our standard of service. To achieve this, we naturally need to enchange the efficiency of management still further.
In this regard, I suggest three courses of action for consideration.
(1) Streamlined management—We can consider reviewing the establishment of various grades and ranks. Regarding hawker control work in particular, I believe proper arrangement in overall strategy, deployment of manpower and personnel matters will go a long way in solving hawker problems.
(2) High effectiveness in managemnet-Take our large fleet of vehicles which consists of service and other vehicles as an example. If we conduct an in- depth study into the cost-effectiveness of deployment of these vehicles, I think the Council can make further improvement in this aspect.
(3) Green management-The Council should actively implement green management, which means that whether in the formation of policies, the implementation of measures or deciding what methods and materials should
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