University libraries: ambitions and expectations

In 1989, the Miquel report revealed the catastrophic state of university libra-ries, due in part to the absence of any building works for nearly fifteen years. The article formulates an assessment of the evolution of buildings since this date. Numerous building works, as well as a few rare enlargements and refurbishments privileged by the U2000 and then the U3M plans have not been able to make good the accumulated backlog, notably due to the increase in the number of students. It is to be hoped that the list of proposals retained in the context of the new contracts for State-Region projects (2007-2013) will contribute adequately to make good this backlog.
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