IFLA cooperates with UNESCO on Virtual Library for the Mediterranean Region

IFLA has signed a contract with UNESCO as part of the MEDLIB Programme, which aims at the establishment of a Virtual Library for the Mediterranean Region.

IFLA will conduct a survey of catalogues of Mediterranean libraries in view of their availability on the Internet. This should pave the way for their accessibility through a harmonised gateway.

"We are looking forward to having the results of this important survey, as it will eventually enable a large group of our colleagues in the Mediterranean area - including of course an important part of the professionals and end users in the Arab world - to benefit from electronic means of communications", commented Sjoerd Koopman, IFLA's Coordinator of Professional Activities.

The survey will be undertaken by the IFLA/UAP Office at Boston Spa (U.K.). The results are planned to become available in the course of May 2001.

For more information on MEDLIB, please contact:
René Cluzel, UNESCO: E-mail: r.cluzel@unesco.org

For more information about the survey, please contact:
Sara Gould, IFLA/UAP: E-mail: sara.gould@bl.uk