MMIS extends to 13 Public Libraries

Hong Kong Central Library Lockhart Road Public Library Chai Wan Public Library Aberdeen Public Library Kowloon Public Library Lai Chi Kok Public Library Shui Wo Street Public Library Shatin Public Library Tsuen Wan Public Library Tuen Mun Public Library Tsing Yi Public Library Tseung Kwan O Public Library Fanling Public Library

Digitized Information at Readers' Fingertips

The Multimedia Information System (MMIS) developed by the Hong Kong Central Library has noted a record hit rate of 1.25 million since it came into services. The system has just completed its first phase of extension, bringing the services direct to 13 major and district public libraries across the territory.
With its useful archival feature, the system has also been included in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's Archives Portal, a worldwide portal which links up a number of important websites from different countries to create one single effective interactive point for archivists and researchers to study the histories and cultures of different nations around the world.

The MMIS provides users with an instant access to more than 1.8 million pages of digitized images and documents, including old Hong Kong newspapers, house programmes, posters, maps, photos, news clippings, books and manuscripts, and over 90,000 items of audio-visual/CD-ROM materials.

Users can also make use of the system to connect with over 50 online reference resources. The MMIS also allows holders of valid library cards to reserve library workstations and audio and video materials, CD-ROM database and children's CD-ROMs in its archive online. Some of the digitized information can also be browsed through the Internet.

The HKPL plans to complete its second phase of extension this year to bring the services direct to a total of 26 public libraries. It will also continue to enhance the system's database to better cater for the public's need for more up-to-date information and their pursuit of lifelong learning.

Old Newspapers Collection A Treasure Trove Of Hong Kong Past

At a time when courage of the Hong Kong people is most tested, the many challenges that we currently facing are perhaps no strangers to our folks over a hundred years ago. Natural disasters, financial crises, limited water supply and infectious diseases have plagued Hong Kong. It is therefore interesting to know how our parents have ridden these storms to develop the prosperous economy we are enjoying today.

The MMIS has a comprehensive collection of old newspapers, through which readers can review important events, such as the development of local railway, Kai Tak Airport opening and the outbreaks of pestilence and cholera in Hong Kong.

In writing its first report about a cholera case on 21 July 1978, the Kung Sheung Daily News also listed the number of its outbreaks between 1858 and 1894. Over 8000 people were infected, of which 4000 died; and thousands fled to the mainland. The cholera was back between 1932 and 1966 until the Government had imposed a series of preventive measures to bring the disease under control, including putting people into quarantine; cleansing and disinfecting the affected houses and districts; providing free vaccine and publicity to raise the public's awareness of personal hygiene.

Other than news, advertisements in the old days can also give us insight into the lifestyle of the old Hong Kong. Advertisement layouts of plastic buckets commonly found in newspapers reflected the scenes of limited water supply in the 60s. The rapid growth of wig factories symbolized the rise of light industries in the 70s as if the popular ads we are seeing today to promote banking services also mark the important status of Hong Kong as Asia's financial centre.

The MMIS archives more than 1.6 million pages of old newspapers published between 4 January 1864 and 31 December 1987 in Hong Kong, including two Chinese newspapers: the Kung Sheung Daily News and Wah Kiu Yat Po and five English newspapers: the China Mail, Hong Kong Daily Press, Hong Kong Sunday Herald, Hong Kong Telegraph and Hong Kong Weekly Press. Readers can access these materials through either the LAN workstations in public libraries or the Internet.

Last year, over 100,000 hit rates were noted accessing the old newspaper collection in the MMIS. The growth rate was phenomenal in the second half of the year with an increase of 256% over the first six months.

The MMIS is available daily online from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm, except on Wednesdays from 1:00 pm to 9:00 pm. For more information, please visit the library website at http://hkclweb.hkpl.gov.hk or the 13 public libraries.