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are efficient and cost effective. However, Members are welcome to suggest ways for improving the acquisition of library materials.
As regards the last part of the question, it is not advisable to make significant changes to the present procedure for purchase of library materials, which is carried out to ensure the best deal for the Council. The most simplified way is, of course, to place a blanket order for everything but this arrangement would not be economical in terms of the large quantity and high cost of the materials involved. It also cannot effectively meet the different needs of the Council's libraries for materials in different subjects and quantities, nor will it be able to meet readers' needs in different libraries or for replacements and for maintaining adequate seasonal materials and basic stock of materials that readers could reasonably expect to find in the libraries. However, the Department is now making arrangements with the overseas English books suppliers to place orders electronically through the library computer system and for the supply of catalogue entries of books on tapes for loading into the computer system of Council's libraries direct, to shorten the time for ordering and processing library books.
CHAIRMAN (in Cantonese): Mr. Steven HUNG Chung-fun, Mr. Daniel To Boon-man and Mr. Wu Chi-wai would like to ask follow-up questions. Mr. Steven HUNG Chung-fun, please.
MR. STEVEN HUNG CHUNG-FUN (in Cantonese): In the reply, it is mentioned that there are 5 contracted book suppliers. I wish to know who these suppliers are. Can I be provided with an answer, please? It is also mentioned that the present arrangement is to acquire books with the best price. I beg to differ. I hope the Libraries Select Committee would review the procedure of book acquisition. What I want to point out is that the Urban Council purchases a lot of books published in Mainland China and orders for these books are placed through the book suppliers. I don't see how this process could ensure a low price for these books. I find that the exchange value of these books differs greatly from their original price. Will the Libraries Select Committee conduct a review on this aspect?
MR. KAM NAI-WAI (in Cantonese): Mr. HUNG has asked 2 questions. The first one concerns the names of the contracted book suppliers. As I do not have such information on hand, I will submit the name list to the relevant Select Committees through the Libraries Select Committee. The second question asks whether the arrangement for acquisition of books will be reviewed. As I have mentioned in the reply, this arrangement was developed over the past 30 years. If Members consider that the current arrangement is not the most cost-effective one, and have better suggestions, the Libraries Select Committee will conduct a review on this.
Page 448 of 485
Page 448 of 485
Page 448 of 485
Page 448 of 485
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
159
are efficient and cost effective. However, Members are welcome to suggest ways for improving the acquisition of library materials.
As regards the last part of the question, it is not advisable to make significant changes to the present procedure for purchase of library materials, which is carried out to ensure the best deal for the Council. The most simplified way is, of course, to place a blanket order for everything but this arrangement would not be economical in terms of the large quantity and high cost of the materials involved. It also cannot effectively meet the different needs of the Council's libraries for materials in different subjects and quantities, nor will it be able to meet readers' needs in different libraries or for replacements and for maintaining adequate seasonal materials and basic stock of materials that readers could reasonably expect to find in the libraries. However, the Department is now making arrangements with the overseas English books suppliers to place orders electronically through the library computer system and for the supply of catalogue entries of books on tapes for loading into the computer system of Council's libraries direct, to shorten the time for ordering and processing library books.
CHAIRMAN (in Cantonese):-Mr. Steven HUNG Chung-fun, Mr. Daniel To Boon-man and Mr. Wu Chi-wai would like to ask follow-up questions. Mr. Steven HUNG Chung-fun, please.
MR. STEVEN Hung Chung-FuN (in Cantonese): In the reply, it is mentioned that there are 5 contracted book suppliers. I wish to know who these suppliers are. Can I be provided with an answer, please? It is also mentioned that the present arrangement is to acquire books with the west price. I beg to differ. I hope the Libraries Select Committee would review the procedure of book acquisition. What I want to point out is that the Urban Council purchase a lot of books published in Mainland China and orders for these books are placed through the book suppliers. I don't see how this process could ensure a low price for these books. I find that the exchange value of these books differs greatly from their original price. Will the Libraries Select Committee conduct a review on this aspect?
MR. KAM NAI-WAI (in Cantonese):-Mr. HUNG has asked 2 questions. The first one concerns the names of the contracted book suppliers. As I do not have such information on hand, I will submit the name list to the relevant Select Committees through the Libraries Select Committee. The second question asks whether the arrangement for acquisition of books will be reviewed. As I have mentioned in the reply, this arrangement was developed over the past 30 years. If Members consider that the current arrangement is not the most cost- effective one, and have better suggestions, the Libraries Select Committee will conduct a review on this.
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Page 448 of 485
Page 448 of 485
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