Hong Kong public libraries will continue to expand their computer facilities, particularly those being renovated or newly established, Secretary for Home Affairs Tsang Tak-sing says.

Replying to a written question in the Legislative Council, Mr Tsang said new computer and information centres/areas will be set up in the coming year in five district libraries undergoing renovation, including To Kwa Wan, Fa Yuen Street, Shui Wo Street, Lockhart Road and Quarry Bay. A total of 65 additional computer workstations will be available for readers' use.

The utilisation rates of computer centres and Internet workstations have remained at a satisfactory level, Mr Tsang said. Last year, the total number of Internet workstation users rose nearly 4% to 3.28 million, while the number of computer and information centre/area users were about 750,000, up more than 12% over 2005.

For the first eight months this year, the total number of Internet workstation users exceeded 2.28 million while computer and information centre/area users topped  570,000.

At present, 20 computer and information centres/areas are operating in public libraries, providing a total of 400 computer workstations with a range of computer information services. The 66 static libraries are also equipped with 431 Internet workstations for public use.

The computer workstations' software and hardware will be regularly upgraded to better meet the public's information technology needs.