Acquisitions and restoration : the aids given by the Direction du livre et de la lecture

The collections of the public libraries keep more than five millions of old books, but also manuscripts, engravings, maps and plans, coins... Their increase and restoration require the implementation of considerable resources. What must be the respective roles of the State, which owns an important part of these stocks, and of the local authorities, depository of this heritage which has a regional and national dimension ? Since the beginning of the 80', the active policy of the Direction du livre et de la lecture shows itself in the technical and financial aid given to the towns. Next to the State, the local authorities take their place in the increase and protection of an heritage which is greatly theirs.
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