Financing of French libraries, 1990-2000 : a qualified statement

When the resources of French libraries during the last decade of the 20th century are examined, a qualified statement is called for. Obviously investment of more than 17 billion francs in ten years and annual running funds of more than 7 billion francs cannot be considered as negligible in a period marked by concern about the need to reduce public expenditure considerably. But in a context of technological upheaval and mounting documentary costs, there still remains much to be done to meet the needs of different clienteles, and to catch up with the level of performance of other European networks. To respond to these imperatives, libraries should aim for a truly political commitment on the part of the public authorities.
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