ENG-1999 — Page 444

RECREATION, SPORTS AND THE ARTS

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The third Writer-in-Residence, Mr Woo Kwok-yin, completed his research on the development of Hong Kong poetry during 1946-1996. His findings were published at the end of 1999.

After the success of the 2nd Hong Kong Literature Festival in 1998, the 3rd festival, aimed at promoting Hong Kong literature in the 21st century, was held from December 1 to 11. It included seminars, book exhibitions, literary exchanges and writing workshops, meet-the-author sessions, writers' talks, competition and performances, film shows, a literary carnival and exhibition, a literary appreciation camp and a literary promenade.

Other regular programmes, including books and arts exhibitions, interest clubs, subject talks, children's hours and library visits, were organised. In all, 3.88 million people took part in the outreach programmes of the council's libraries in 1999.

Provisional Regional Council Public Libraries

The Provisional Regional Council operated 27 libraries, including three central libraries, eight district libraries, 11 small libraries and five mobile libraries. The service hours of the Telephone and Internet Book Renewal Services, which was introduced in March 1998 and well received by the users, were extended from March 1999 to cover the period 9 am to 11 pm.

In support of the education initiative in information technology, the Sha Tin Central Library had acquired 20 sets of microcomputers for its new Computer and Information Centre for public use. Plans were in hand to extend the service to the central libraries in Tuen Mun and Tsuen Wan, as well as the North Kwai Chung Public Library and the new Tsing Yi Public Library which will be opened in January 2000.

The council's libraries had 1 482 489 registered borrowers and a stock of 2 949 300 items. During the year, 12 150 383 items were lent out.

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 1999, the office registered a total of 10 028 books and 10 672 periodicals.

The office is also the local agent for the International Standard Book Numbering (ISBN) System. During the year, 359 new publisher prefixes conforming to the ISBN were issued.

Heritage

The Antiquities and Monuments Office (AMO) of the Home Affairs Bureau, under the guidance of the Antiquities Advisory Board, continued to promote public awareness of Hong Kong's cultural heritage through exhibitions, guided tours, publications, local studies and community involvement projects.

Advised by the Antiquities Advisory Board, the Secretary for Home Affairs is the authority in implementing the Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance. The Secretary for Home Affairs exercises his roles through the AMO. In addition, the Lord Wilson