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The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
The Legislative Council (LegCo) Archives will start operation tomorrow (January 11) to provide archival services for the LegCo and members of the public.
The LegCo Archives, established this month, is responsible for developing and implementing an integrated archives and records management programme for LegCo and providing archival services for the LegCo and members of the public. The preserved records of the LegCo Archives document the history, core functions and activities of the LegCo as corporate memory of the Council, which also forms part of the collective memory of Hong Kong.
The LegCo Archival holdings consist of original records and papers received or prepared by the LegCo in discharging and its functions and activities by written instruments, correspondence, reports, manuscripts, publications, audiovisual material and other documentary material in different physical formats. They also provide contextual information on policies, decisions and deliberations of public issues and may be of more interest to those who are conducting in-depth research.
Different categories of records which reflect the business and activities of the LegCo and its administrative services since 1858 are preserved at the LegCo Archives. At present, the quantity of archival holdings adds up to about 500 linear metres of shelving. A growing number of electronic records are expected to find their way to the LegCo Archives in the coming years.
The services of the LegCo Archives include offering guidance and assistance in identifying primary source material on topics relating to its holdings, allowing users to consult archival records free of charge (but while consulting the records, users are required to observe the "Rules on Use of Services of the LegCo Archives") and copying services in paper format.
A lot of materials in the LegCo Archives are copyrighted. Users are not allowed to further copy or publish a document or a substantial portion of a document without the permission of the copyright owner. Copying service is provided in paper format and reproduction of copies will be charged on a cost recovered basis.
The LegCo Archives open from Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm except for public holidays. It is located at Room GM05, LegCo Complex, 1 Legislative Council Road, Central, Hong Kong and can be accessible through the LegCo Library.
If members of the public wish to use the archival services, they are welcomed to make advance appointments with the LegCo Archives, particularly if users have identified the records they would like to consult and want the records be prepared for consultation ahead of time. For enquiries on the use of the archival services, please contact the staff of the LegCo Archives at 3919 3448 or email to archives@legco.gov.hk.
Ends/Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Issued at HKT 19:46
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