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The Hong Kong Public Libraries (HKPL) website (www.hkpl.gov.hk) was today (January 21) selected as one of the winning websites in the "2005 Meritorious Websites Contest".
The "2005 Meritorious Websites Contest" is jointly organised by the Television and Entertainment Licensing Authority and the Hong Kong Young Women's Christian Association to encourage young people to visit to healthy websites more, and at the same time recognise the contributions of the producers of healthy websites.
The HKPL was also a winner in "Ten Healthy Websites Contest" in 2003. Chief Librarian of the HKPL, Mr Yam Kin-pang who is in charge of the website, said it was very encouraging to be one of winners in the contest.
"The HKPL has always strived for excellence to meet the increasing demand on library services and a major revamp on the website has recently been completed to offer library users more convenience," he said.
The HKPL website recorded 8.7 million visitors and 98 million hit rates in 2005. In addition, 13 million library materials were renewed and reserved via the website last year.
The website provides a 24-hour service for readers, giving them access to a wide range of electronic information and services. It includes readers' personal information and records; free-of-charge library electronic notices; renewing and reserving library materials; searching for reference databases; browsing e-Books and the "Hong Kong Public Libraries Newsletter"; and obtaining information about the HKPL's upcoming events and new services.
The website also gives quick access to the Multimedia Information System (MMIS). Users can search for more than 2.1 million pages of digital images and documents, including back issues of Hong Kong newspapers, house programmes, posters, maps, photos, news clippings, books and manuscripts.
The system also offers a wide variety of digitised audio and video materials, reference resources in different subject areas and allows users to reserve the use of work stations, the audio and video materials, CD-ROM databases and CD-ROMs for children in designated libraries.
The revamped website contains new features including location maps with links to the public libraries across the territory, calendar and archives of HKPL's extension activities, seasonal presentation for different festivals, real-time display of weather, as well as a new section for kids and teens with attractive design and new contents such as websites on various topics, search strategy and topical guides for students.
For enquires about the HKPL website, please call 2921 0208.
Ends/Saturday, January 21, 2006
Issued at HKT 17:56
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