IFLA Journal. May 1998

This issue of the IFLA Journal examines critical aspects of archival access, public record preservation, and the evolving role of libraries in civic and educational contexts. Contributors explore national and institutional strategies for information policy, access to public documents, and the social function of libraries in diverse regions. Topics include parliamentary archives, university leadership in knowledge dissemination, and the status of library services in developing countries. Through theoretical insights and case studies, the articles highlight how libraries and archives serve as guardians of memory, facilitators of transparency, and instruments for democratic engagement in a rapidly changing global environment.