Economic, social, educational and technological developments have brought pressure to bear on libraries. As librarians are faced with a major challenge in proving the need for continued sustenance of our libraries, we are also confronted with a major opportunity to explore possible new dimensions of services. The way we respond to the challenge and make use of the opportunities open to us will be a determining factor of our future success.

In recent years the priority that was given to libraries has been substantially reduced in the face of competing social needs, increasing economic problems and changing government fiscal policies. Despite these, libraries are expected to be cost-effective in order to ensure the maximization of the use of their resources. Faced with the declining levels of financial support and the rising demand for accountability, libraries are under pressure to re-examine their operations and priorities.