ENG-2009 — Page 476

396 Recreation, Sport and the Arts

collections of nine international organisations. Specialised reference services are provided at the Arts Resources Centre, the Hong Kong Literature Room and the Map Library of the Hong Kong Central Library, the Business and Industry Library, the Creativity and Innovation Resource Centre, the Basic Law Library at City Hall Public Library, and the Education Resource Centre at Kowloon Public Library. In addition, the Sha Tin Public Library hosts the specialised Sports and Fitness Collection for lending and public reference. In October 2009, the Hong Kong Oral History Special Collection was launched at Hong Kong Central Library. This was set up by the Hong Kong Oral History Repository Project initiated by the Home Affairs Bureau and with the support of nine local tertiary institutes as founding partners. It aims to provide reference material on oral histories on topics of Hong Kong studies and related research outputs as well as a thematic website for public reference.

Web-based reference services form an integral part of the reference and information services. They cover a wide range of online databases, electronic books, web resource guides and topical resource guides available on the library's website.

Information Technology Initiatives and Digital Library Initiatives

The HKPL's Library Automation system is one of the largest computerised installations of its kind in the world. It provides 24-hour internet library services, including online catalogue searching and the reservation and renewal of library material. In 2009, more than 19.03 million online renewal transactions were processed through the Internet and Telephone Renewal Services.

The HKPL is actively planning to replace the current system over the coming years and it will also carry out a pilot test on the use of Radio Frequency Identification technology to enhance its services. The HKPL continued to expand the application of information technology and installed over 80 number of new Internet Express Terminals with motorised height adjustment feature in libraries during the

year.

In 2009, over 770 000 readers were registered to use their smart ID cards as library cards. Over 1 700 computer workstations in the libraries were connected to the Internet for public use.

The HKPL's Multimedia Information System (MMIS) provides a powerful one-stop search facility enabling users to explore multimedia archives and digitised documents via the Internet at home or through some 600 workstations in 27 public libraries. To continue to provide users with an effective and versatile multimedia information service, the HKPL is undertaking a major upgrade of the system.

Outreach Programmes and Promotion of Reading and Literary Arts

Outreach programmes form an integral part of the library services. In 2009, the HKPL organised 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 19 770 library outreach programmes were conducted in 2009. A variety of reading programmes and reading-related activities were organised to