ENG-1994 — Page 447

RECREATION, SPORTS AND THE ARTS

discs, CD-ROMs, Compact Disc-Interactive (CD-I) and computer software. There were over 1 640 subscriptions to local and overseas newspapers and periodicals. The council's current policy is to provide a total stock of 3.3 million items to reach its target of providing one item per member of the urban population in three years' time.

The City Hall Public Library is a depository library of the United Nations; the World Bank; the Asian Development Bank; the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation; General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade; World Food Programme and International Labour Organisation. Designations by these organisations not only enhanced the reference stock, but also reflected the recognition of the council's libraries as a major metropolitan library system.

Altogether, 9.3 million library items were borrowed by readers during the year, while 18.6 million books were read in the libraries.

During the year, competitions for creative writing, the best produced books in Hong Kong and drama criticism were organised to cultivate interest in, and improve the standard of, these subjects.

The council also set up a writer-in-residence programme which provides opportunities for writers to pursue projects in Chinese literary research or creative writing. A bibliography of local writers will be published in 1995.

Since it was first launched in 1984, the reading programme for young people has enrolled 107 300 members. They have read a total of some 1.6 million books.

Regional Council Libraries

The Regional Council operates 25 public libraries, comprising three central libraries, 19 district libraries and three mobile libraries. These libraries have a registered membership of 1 031 300 and a total stock of 1.97 million books and 106 000 audio-visual items.

In 1994, 7.87 million books and audio-cassettes were loaned for home use and 17.34 million books were read in the libraries.

The computerisation of the council's library services was completed in November 1993, enabling the public to enjoy a better library service four months ahead of schedule.

The re-registration of readers for the issue of new computerised borrowers' cards commenced in September 1992 and by the end of 1994, over 541 200 readers held new cards.

Following the library automation, material borrowed from a council library can be returned at any other council library.

An on-line public access catalogue was installed in all the council's libraries in March 1994. This computerised catalogue allows immediate access to information on all book stocks in the libraries.

To promote the literary arts, the council built up a special local authors collection in the Tsuen Wan Central Library in support of research into, and development of, local literature. The Tsuen Wan Central Library was designated as an official depository library for Asian Development Bank publications in March.

Educational kits in the form of discovery boxes are provided in the council's central and district libraries. They are enjoyed by children in the story hours and interest clubs, and have become a regular form of library extension activity.

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