His measure of public living standards embraces the quality of schools, parks, libraries, law enforcement and public transport. In the international community we are all enriched by the opportunity to work together for the common good. Improving the quality of library services is a priority for all of us and a responsibility which must be accepted by those beyond the library profession. Sense of community One of the great characteristics of the domestic and international library scene is the impressive sense of community that exists within the profession of librarianship. This collegiality is evident at events we have witnessed over the last week here in Beijing.
Libraries do play a fundamental role in the development and maintenance of a good society.
They are not an anachronism in the brave new world of cyberspace but balance the demands of maintaining our cultural heritage, assist in the development of literacy, provide an adjunct to education and training, serve as community and recreation centres and are an attraction to tourists. With expanded access to information using digital technology the demand for library services is growing. Librarians cannot ignore the necessity of responding to community and business enthusiasm for more colourful, animated, interactive and timely information. Targeting the right information, developing information literacy and navigating the 'superhighway' will all be done through libraries just as we continue to meet the more traditional demands for library services. There is a risk that present and future demands will create a greater chasm between the information rich and information poor of the local and global community.