ENG-2008 — Page 466

390 Recreation, Sport and the Arts

In 2008, over 655 000 readers were registered to use their smart ID cards as library cards. Over 210 internet workstations were equipped with e-Cert compatible smart card readers.

The Multimedia Information System (MMIS) which has received a number of awards both locally and internationally for its use of advanced technology, offers the public instant access to a wide variety of digital documents as well as audio and video programmes on demand. It provides a powerful one-stop search facility. enabling library users to explore multimedia archives via the Internet at home or through some 600 workstations in 27 public libraries. With the upgrading of its operating system in 2008, it continued to provide users with an effective and versatile multi-media information service.

Outreach Programmes and Promotion of Reading and Literary Arts

Outreach programmes form an integral part of the library services. In 2008, the HKPL continued to organise a balanced mix of activities for people of all ages. Regular programmes including storytelling sessions, book exhibitions, and community talks were held throughout the year. A total of 19 555 library outreach programmes were conducted in 2008. A variety of reading programmes and reading-related activities were organised to promote reading and sustain an interest in reading. These included a 'Summer Reading Month' designed for children and their families.

Teens' Reading Clubs were formed at public libraries during the year and Family Reading Clubs were set up in major libraries. Creative competitions held under the title 'Sport and I were organised to celebrate the '4.23 World Book Day' and the Olympic Games.

Other library programmes organised in the year to tie in with the Olympic Games in 2008 were the 'Olympic Stories Series: Enlightening your Soul', the roving exhibition '2008 Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian Event' and a roving book. exhibition, 'Sports and the Olympic Games', a 'Popular Science Talk on the Olympic Series: Sports and Science', a 'Talk Series: Olympics and Philosophy', and a special reading activity 'Lighten your Reading Torch - 2008 Summer Reading Programme' for children and students. Reading Corners were also set up at the Olympic Live Sites.

HKPL continued to hold special programmes and competitions to promote creative writing and appreciation of literature. These included the seventh Hong Kong Literature Festival organised in conjunction with the Hong Kong Arts Development Council as a hub of activities to bring together literary talent and promote creative writing, reading and literary appreciation. The libraries joined forces during the year to organise the Awards for Creative Writing in Chinese, a Chinese Poetry Writing Competition and a competition on story writing in Chinese for students. They also partnered other organisations in holding territory-wide reading sessions for the general public.

Cultural Exchange

During the year, Hong Kong's public libraries continued to co-operate and strengthen ties with their counterparts elsewhere using the Internet to keep in touch