ENG-1997 — Page 449

RECREATION, SPORTS AND THE ARTS

readers have registered with the programme and they have read more than 2.64 million books.

The fourth Hong Kong Biennial Awards for Chinese Literature was presented in the year. In addition, the Hong Kong Literary Festival on the theme of Hong Kong literature in the past 50 years was held in January. It included a large-scale exhibition, a seminar by local and overseas writers and scholars, meet-the-author sessions, workshops, competitions and performances, production of literary videos, film shows and seminars as well as publication of a collection of essays on Hong Kong literature. These activities attracted an audience of 6 434. The positive response has encouraged the council to make it an annual event.

An exhibition of 81 rare, ancient Chinese documents of the Shanghai Library was held in July. The national relics included thread-bound rare Chinese books, stone rubbing inscriptions, personal letters of famous Chinese and genealogy books.

A wide range of other outreach programmes including books and arts exhibitions, interest clubs, subject talks, children's hours and library visits were organised. In all, some 3.7 million people took part in the council's literary and outreach programme in 1997.

Provisional Regional Council Public Libraries

The Provisional Regional Council operates 26 libraries, including three central libraries, 19 district libraries and four mobile libraries. Installed with one of the largest automated bilingual (Chinese and English) library systems in the world, these libraries provide fast book return, borrowing and reservation services, plus an on-line catalogue to members of the public.

They have a registered membership of 1.3 million and a total stock of 2.4 million books and 173 459 audio-visual items. They issued 10.36 million books and audio- cassettes for home use in 1997. The Sha Tin Central Library and Tsuen Wan Central Library are the most heavily patronised public libraries in Hong Kong.

Books Registration Office

The Books Registration Office of the Television and Entertainment Licensing Authority is responsible for registering books first printed, produced or published locally. A bibliography of the registered books is gazetted at quarterly intervals. In 1997, the office registered a total of 9 800 books and 10 775 periodicals.

The office is also the local agent for the International Standard Book Numbering (ISBN) System. During the year, 300 new publishers' prefixes conforming to ISBN were issued.

Sport and Recreation

Sports and recreational facilities and activities are many and varied in Hong Kong. The Provisional Urban and Regional Councils develop and manage facilities which include sports grounds, playgrounds, indoor games halls, holiday camps, swimming pools and beaches. The two councils also organise training courses, sporting competitions and other activities for people of all ages and abilities, and encourage passive recreation by providing parks and landscaped open spaces.

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