The computerization of government publications should be continued. Planning is re quired to cope with obsolescence of hardware and software, and to ensure access to the information generated and stored on them. Likewise the ephemeral nature of much material on the Intemet is a cause for concern, and bibliographic control of electronic documents requires attention. Funding is a concern in many libraries, particularly with the increased demands of both traditional and electronic formats. The value of library work, the objectives of libraries, and the workload must all be clearly understood in order to strengthen a case for adequate funding.
Legal provision is required for the authentication of electronic documents.
The Prompt Payment of Accounts Act 1997 contains a number of problematic provisions which require attention. It could also be used by individual librarians in the workplace, and the parent bodies of libraries could be encouraged to meet a level of quality which the professional bodies would judge to be in compliance with the standard.