Changes and developments in Greek libraries

Abstract

Greek libraries have experienced a tremendous evolution towards modernization in recent years. The lack of tradition in libraries and the existence of an educational system based on the single textbook did not favour the development of libraries in Greece until recently. However, the European Community action aimed at enabling European libraries to play an important role in the information market and the Community Support Framework, through which libraries could be funded at the national level, allowed for a dynamic set of actions for Greek libraries. All types of libraries, academic, public and school are moving ahead and 500 school libraries were established in secondary schools alone. In the academic libraries, the horizontal action can be proud of the creation of a consortium called HEAL LINK that shares periodical subscriptions and will also operate a union catalogue of bibliographic records. Library-related organizations such as the National Documentation Center and the National Book Center, offer additional support in this movement of progress. These initiatives and others are described.