THE NINTH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE: CRIMEA 2002

摘要

Although cultural centres and libraries are facing financial crisis all over the world, this region is facing even harsher impact due to reduced traditional government subsidy. It is encouraging to recognise that most libraries that were hailed by UNESCO for their impact on the community, are largely operational and therefore continuing with their cultural crusade of enlightenment as detected by my visits to some libraries as part of a preconference tour. The problems of automation of library activities, functions and services, that are picking up, seem to be drawing greater attention and there is eminent hope, in the eyes of colleagues, that this problem will be succumbed sooner than later if government support and the support of friends of libraries is forthcoming. The conference main theme over the last nine years has been focused on ICT that manifests this understandable attention. The strength of this region lies in its strong library tradition with plenty of qualified manpower.