European public libraries results consolidated at landmark conference On 13 and 14 March 2003, the PULMAN policy conference on "Public Libraries, Museums and Archives Working Together in eEurope" was held in Oeiras, Portugal. Some 170 participants from 41 countries agreed to four cornerstone priorities and a ten-point action plan laid out in the Oeiras Manifesto, the PULMAN agenda for eEurope. The Manifesto underlines the vital role of public libraries for meeting the needs of citizens in the information age and encourages cooperation at local level with the other cultural institutions. Public libraries are seen as vital building blocks in the information society as they address enhancement of digital skills, lifelong learning, cultural diversity, citizen participation through public access points, special needs and access in outlying areas. Comments from the delegates at the conference ranged from "a thoroughly inspiring conference" to "a landmark conference in the development of public libraries." Erkki Liikanen, European Commissioner for the Information Society, saw the PULMAN policy conference as a key event for public libraries in Europe, setting the scene for exciting developments in the years to come. Participants at the conference included ministers, secretaries of state and government representatives from most of the participating countries. These were accompanied by high-level library figures and by public librarians responsible for the detailed development of information resources in the 36 countries undertaking work under PULMAN. For the Manifesto text, please refer to www.pulmanweb.org or request a copy from EBLIDA: eblida@nblc.nl For further
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