ENG-1994 — Page 446

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RECREATION, SPORTS AND THE ARTS

Where it was not feasible to preserve archaeological remains affected by development, rescue excavations were organised to record archaeological findings prior to construction work. Of the rescue operations undertaken during the year, those on Kau Sai Chau and at Tung Wan Tsai on Ma Wan were of particular interest.

Finds from the Han Dynasty, previously considered a missing link in local archaeology, were unearthed at both sites in considerable quantities. They provided important research material for the study of the territory's early history. These rescue works were largely funded by the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club and private developers.

The Antiquities and Monuments Office maintained an active programme to promote local heritage among the public, in particular with the younger generation. Seminars, workshops, field studies, lectures and voluntary service such as grass-cutting at historic sites and the processing of archaeological finds were frequently organised for youth groups and students.

Exhibitions on various local heritage themes were presented for the public at the office's exhibition gallery and other venues under its management. In co-operation with the Eastern and North district boards, two booklets introducing the history, monuments and traditions of the two districts were published. Several other district boards have also indicated an interest in similar publication projects and have asked the office to assist.

Public Libraries

Urban Council Libraries

The year under review saw the completion of the renovation and expansion of the City Hall Public Library to provide much-improved facilities. The Lam Tin Public Library at Lam Tin Estate was replaced by a new library in Tak Tin Estate. The design of the Hong Kong Central Library at Moreton Terrace in Causeway Bay was completed during the year. The library, which will have a gross floor area of 33 800 square metres, is expected to be completed in late 1997.

So far, 19 libraries in the urban area have been computerised, offering a computerised circulation service and an on-line search facility of library catalogues. It is expected that the whole project will be completed by March 1995, three months ahead of the original target date. Users at home or in the office may then also check the on-line catalogues through the use of a personal computer and a modem. The Urban Council public libraries will then be the largest computerised public library system in the world capable of handling Chinese and English materials simultaneously.

Use of INTERNET to search for information was introduced at the City Hall reference library in February. On-line library catalogues and a large number of overseas databases have been made available. This new service, together with the network of CD-ROMs (Compact Discs

Read Only Memory) installed in the council's libraries, has greatly improved the library system's search capabilities and access to information.

Services for the visually-handicapped were expanded during the year. In addition to block loans of audio-cassettes and CD-ROMs, the council acquired 300 Braille and audio books for permanent loan to the Hong Kong Society for the Blind Library, and installed a hotline for reference enquiries from the visually-handicapped.

The council's libraries have a collection of 2.8 million books and 179 700 audio-visual items including audio-cassettes, gramophone records, audio-compact discs, video tapes and