Since its establishment, the department has effectively used information technology as a key enabler in providing quality services to the public, as well as improving operational efficiency. During the year, 20 major computerisation projects, costing $46 million in total, were commissioned to improve the quality of service, efficiency and productivity.
Computerisation of Public Libraries
2005 was a year of enhancement for the Library Automation System. In March, the planned upgrade of the main Library Automation System server, which doubled the processing power, was completed successfully. The setting up of temporary computer services and cabling works for those libraries under renovation — Aberdeen, Kowloon, Po On Road, Tuen Mun and North Kwai Chung — started in early 2005 and was expected to be completed in 2006. Ma On Shan Library, Mobile Library 10 serving Tin Shui Wai, and the new Tai Kok Tsui Public Library were opened to the public in April, August and November respectively. To plan for the major revamp of the Library Automation System, the department commissioned an external consultant to conduct a feasibility study in September. From September to November, around 60 additional self-charging terminals were deployed in selected libraries to further enhance patron self-help. In November, the Hong Kong Public Libraries web site was revamped with a new appearance and clear navigation features for facilitating access to online library services. In December, the web site was recognised by the community and judged one of the ten '2005 Meritorious Websites'.
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The Multimedia Information System was launched at the Ma On Shan Public Library in March. Patrons can now access the digitised materials of the system through workstations at the Hong Kong Central Library and 26 branch libraries in addition to the Internet.
In April, a pilot scheme was successfully conducted by installing Internet Express Terminals in seven libraries to provide a new channel for efficient access to the Internet. With the new service, no prior reservation is required and Internet access is provided speedily for searching the web or email checking.
Hong Kong Museum of Art
The existing computer system for the Hong Kong Museum of Art was developed in the mid-1990s to provide basic management functions for handling museum collections. Due to the growth of the museum's collections and the demand for new functions to streamline operations, the system was upgraded in October. The upgraded system not only improves museum operations, it also delivers images of museum collections in better quality to promote art appreciation through the Internet.
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Computerisation of Music Office
The Music Office organises more than 200 Outreach Interest Courses every year, including different types of instrumental and workshop series which aim at providing short-term fundamental music training for people of different ages. An Outreach Interest Course system was launched in December. It allows online submission of applications through the Internet and automates the balloting and notification procedures.
Antiquities and Monuments Office
A new Geographical Information System on Hong Kong Heritage was fully launched in October to computerise the textual, photographic and cartographic information on the archaeological and built heritage of Hong Kong. The system is accessible by the public through the Internet. It helps to foster public awareness of Hong Kong's heritage and promotes cultural exchanges with overseas heritage institutions, and improves the operational efficiency in handling information on Hong Kong's archaeological and built heritage.
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New e-Government Strategy
At present, the ESDlife portal provides an integrated platform for the public to interact and conduct transactions with the government electronically. As the emerging global trend is to provide e-services based on a service clustering approach that centres on the needs of customer segments, a new e-government strategy proposed by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) to deliver services to customer segments will be adopted. The new e-business strategy seeks to achieve the objective of enhancing the quality of e-government services and boost their utilisation through the introduction of customer segmentation and end-to-end processing. A new e-government platform will be established and e-Government Service will be presented to the public in a 'one-stop' access approach.
The department is playing a very active and supportive role in this new e-government programme. Existing e-services that are provided through the ESDlife channel will be
Leisure Link System
This system aims to improve operational efficiency in managing the leisure facility and activity enrolment and providing convenience to the public. It enables the public to book sports facilities and enrol in sports activities through the Internet, by telephone, or by visiting booking counters.
A number of new system features were launched in 2005 to meet operational needs and public demand by improving the management of leisure facilities and activities and the user friendliness of the Internet, counters and Interactive Voice Response System channels. To align with the new e-government strategy proposed by the OGCIO, a feasibility study was conducted to work out the roadmap for the migration of the system to the new e-Government Service Delivery platform.
e-Magazine System
To proactively promote LCSD programmes, an e-Magazine System was launched since 2002. The system allows subscribers to receive up to date information of cultural events and leisure programmes according to their personal areas of interest through email on a weekly basis. A promotion exercise was conducted between June to August. The exercise included sending promotional emails to all civil servants and members of the Legislative Council and District Councils; distributing registration cards and forms at major LCSD venues; placing advertisements on popular web sites; and sending invitation emails to recommended organisations for establishing hyperlinks to the e-Magazine webpage. An increase of over 32 000 subscribers in 2005 brought the total number of subscribers to about 58 000 at the end of 2005. Publicity exercises for our e-Magazine service to Leisure Link members and library users will be conducted in 2006 to further promote the department's programmes and activities.
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Pearl River Delta Development
The Pearl River Delta Cultural Information web site, launched in April 2004, was designed to facilitate the exchange of cultural information amongst Hong Kong, Guangdong and Macau. The web site carries a variety of cultural information on performing venues, cultural programmes, museums, libraries, arts organisations, ticketing and cooperation projects in the three regions.
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Tree Data Bank System
Phase I of the Tree Data Bank System was launched in July to facilitate the management of green information with the adoption of the Geographical Information System technology. It also provides an Internet channel for the public to access the old and valuable tree information that is maintained by the department. Phase II will be launched in early 2006. Handheld devices for horticultural surveying and analysis will be used by field staff working at remote sites.
Management Information System
In December 2005, Phase I of the Management Information System was implemented. This system automates the activities of call-returns and compiles statistical reports for supporting working level officers and middle management. The rollout of the system is in progress. Phase II of the system was proposed and a funding application was submitted to the OGCIO in August. This phase is to provide key performance indicators to help our senior management to allocate resources and formulate policy strategies.
Projects under Development
Other projects in progress include the following:
| • | Procurement of new Multimedia Information Services workstations for Hong Kong Central Library started in October, and the rollout will be completed by mid-2006. |
| • | Computerisation of the new Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre is underway. It includes setting up of IT equipment in the centre, implementation of a RFID Library Management System for the reference library in the centre and the development of a Hong Kong Traditional Architectural Information System for visitors to browse research data on traditional architecture. The soft opening of the centre took place on October 28, 2005 to provide facilities and exhibitions to the public. The grand opening of the centre is planned for 2007 to fully launch all of the facilities and systems. |
| • | Virtual tours of preserved heritage in Hong Kong will be produced and made accessible by the public through the Internet. This will aim at arousing the awareness of the public on heritage preservation and promoting heritage education and tourism on the built heritage of Hong Kong. |
| • | A tendering exercise for the back-end operations of URBTIX was completed. A ticketing contractor was engaged to develop, operate and maintain a dynamic |
| • | Self-service kiosks will be provided at LCSD venues for booking leisure facilities and enrolment in community recreational and sports activities. Tenders were invited between May 13 and June 24, 2005. Tender evaluation is in progress. |
| • | A computerised system for the Aquatic Venue Unit is being developed. The system will manage information such as special arrangements on beaches and swimming pools, water quality, cleansing schedules and public announcements for dissemination on the Internet. |
| • | Enhancement of the department's IT infrastructure will be conducted to support |
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Last revision date: 25/04/25 | |