The First Six Years 1963-69

and M r. Eugene W u ， Curator o f East Asian Collection, the Hoover Institu tion o f Stanford University, came to Hong Kong to work out a basic programme for developing a University lib ra ry system. The ir conclusions are contained in a Report on the Central Library of The Chinese University o f Hong Kong. The recommendations o f these experts have been o f great benefit to the University in its continuing efforts to establish an adequate library. The difficulties involved in this undertaking can be imagined in the ligh t o f the prediction that before 1980 there w ill be issued worldwide over one m illion volumes annually be sides the 50 m illion volumes now estimated to be extant. A further complication is the fact that the three College Libraries were in existence long before action to establish a Central L ib ra ry was started. The need for close coordination, the adoption o f a sound acquisition policy ， the equitable division and proper accommoda tion o f staff among the four Libraries, the recruiting o f professionally trained personnel and many other problems posed a formidable task. The University L ib ra ry was established in A p ril 1965 and was housed in itia lly in four leased floors o f an office bu ild ing in down town Kowloon. I t was moved to the basement floor o f the Ben jam in Franklin Centre in August 1969, The floor space available in the Centre is barely sufficient to accommodate the L ibrary's growing collection un til the completion o f the new L ib ra ry Building in 1971. Following appointment o f a University L ib ra rian in Septem ber 1 9 6 6 , vigorous steps were initiated to achieve closer coordi nation and formulate a dynamic programme for development. In selecting its materials ， the L ib ra ry works closely w ith the Boards o f Studies in the various subject fields. This ensures tha t only pub lications which satisfy the teaching and research needs o f the faculties are acquired. The allocation o f the book budget among the different disciplines and the acquisition o f special collections and subscriptions to journals are decided by the Central L ib ra ry Committee. Further coordination o f the University lib ra ry system is effected by a L ib ra ry Administrative Committee consisting o f the University L ibrarian and the three College Librarians. This Committee studies ， formulates and recommends to the Central L ib ra ry Committee a university-wide lib ra ry policy and technical procedures for implementing this policy. D ifferentiation o f emphasis among the four Libraries has been worked out satisfactorily. The University L ib ra ry is p rim a rily a research lib ra ry for use o f the faculty, staff and graduate students o f the University. I t does not duplicate or usurp the functions o f the three College Libraries. I t concentrates on assembling materials covering selected graduate fields and areas o f professional re 58