ABSTRACT
The libraries of Europe have been characterized as a “treasure house” of both cultural and scientific resources. The Conference has played an especially important role for information specialists of the Economic Community member states. In the field of library and information science, the European Community faces a multiplicity of problems, such as: multilingual access to catalogue databases, the application of new technologies to the preservation/conservation of library materials, library networking, and overcoming major disparities in technical developments between Southern and Northern European countries. The general outlook for the European information market should be improved by two programs: European Strategic Program for Research and Development Information Technology and RACE, both aiming at strengthening technological bases of production and utilization of information services. The increasing demand for information on economic development means that the policy of European Community libraries must consider not just European member countries, but also the international community of researchers at large.
