The Legislative Council Library Watson CHAN Head, Research and Library Services Legislative Council Secretariat November 2003

Mission A specialized library serving the information needs of the Legislative Council, its committees, Members and other related personnel involved/interested in legislative work

Establishment Established in 1993 and operation commenced in 1995 Initial establishment: 1 librarian and 1 supporting staff Library services restricted to Members only Services provided on a first-come-first- served basis

Establishment - today 3 librarians and 3 supporting staff to provide library services 5 supporting staff to manage the LegCo web site and the Research and Library Information System (an electronic document retrieval system)

Library users Members of the Legislative Council Members’ personal assistants Staff of the Legislative Council Secretariat Members of the public

Library services for Members, their assistants and Secretariat staff Access to Library collections Access to Library facilities Reference services Loan services

Access to Library collections Council collection Reference collection General collection Special collections News library

Access to Library facilities Reading room Audio-visual equipment Computers including access to the Internet

Reference services Timely and quality information and reference services Focusing on core collection of Council documents

Loan services Access to loan services of Library collections Access to inter-library loan services

Library services for members of the public Access to records of the Council and open committees meetings Access to collections on the Library catalogue Reading room facilities Use of audio-visual equipment

Facts and figures (1) Number of visits: 2000/01: 6000 visits 2002/03: over 9000 visits Number of enquiries: 2000/01: slightly above /03: over

Facts and figures (2) Size of collection: 2000/01: items 2002/03: items Circulation of library items: 2000/01: /03:

Challenges (1) Public accountability Promoting transparency of the work of the Legislative Council Ensuring all necessary information are made available to the wider public on a timely fashion

Challenges (2) Changing needs of users Services must be adapted to changing users’ needs and add genuine value Expectations and demands must be balanced with resources available Skills must be kept up to date

Challenges (3) Tight deadlines Increasing expectations for ready made materials / timely information pack Wider scope Increasing expectations for more in-depth information and information beyond the Library collection

Challenges (4) Re-active versus pro-active work Re-active: responding to enquiries Pro-active: anticipating needs before they become enquiries

Library staff - librarians (1) Duties: Acquisition Cataloguing Circulation Reference Library system maintenance

Library staff - librarians (2) Entry requirements Degree or post-graduate degree in library science Very good command of written and spoken Chinese and English Good knowledge of LC Classification, and preferably knowledge of LCSH, AACRII and USMARC, or equivalent

Library staff - librarians (3) Entry requirements (cont’d) Experience in using Innopac for cataloguing, acquisition, and other library administrative purposes At least 6 years’ working experience in the provision of library services

Library staff - librarians (4) Attributes Ability of working independently and under pressure High level of information literacy skills Very good analytical, communication and supervisory skills

Library staff - librarians (5) Staff development On-the-job training Sponsored job-related training Exchanges with legislative staff from other jurisdictions

Library staff - supporting staff (1) Duties: To assist in making acquisition To assist in cataloguing To assist in providing library counter services

Library staff - supporting staff (2) Entry requirements Grade E or above in five subjects, including English Language (Syllabus B), Chinese Language and Mathematics in the Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination, or equivalent. Preferably with formal training in library science

Library staff - supporting staff (3) Entry requirements (cont’d) Good command of written and spoken Chinese and English Preferably with 5 years' relevant experience

Library staff - supporting staff (4) Attributes Good initiative Good communication and interpersonal skills Self-motivated and responsible

Library staff - supporting staff (5) Staff development On-the-job training Sponsored job-related training