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The German library association (DBV, Deutscher Bibliotheksverband) demands the introduction of a general science barrier in the copyright. The DBV is convinced that a uniform general educational and science barrier with an all-inclusive regulation as to the use of works in the digital age should complement and substitute the present individual barrier paragraphs. In many embodiments, the currently applicable German law is clearly lagging behind the digital world and current practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In contemporary historical research analyse and documentation of librarianship in the former Soviet occupation zone (Sowjetische Besatzungszone, SBZ) and later GDR is a relatively new field of research which at present has -- according to a deficient edition work -- only limited access to essential sources of library policy, especially legal documents. Referring to the problem this historico-critical short edition makes two library-specific documents of the former SBZ available again: The draft of a Gesetz zur Demokratisierung des Büchereiwesens (Library Democratisation Act) and the draft of a Thüringisches Büchereigesetz (Thuringian Library Law). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A summary is presented of the "Masterplan zum Öffentlichen Bibliothekswesen," which is a comprehensive set of laws for public libraries in Austria that was announced by the Parliament of Austria on March 31, 2011.

The article presents the author's opinions about the November 10, 2010 proposal of the parliament of the state of Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany to pass the handling of a library law to committees on cultural and community policy for further discussion. He refers to the statements of the Cultural Minister, Ute Schäfer, and speakers for the Green political party and the Social Democratic Party (SPD), and examines the consequences of a proposal to include library law in an over-arching cultural law.

The article presents the author's thoughts about the political discussions in the German parliament related to laws affecting libraries. He discusses the meaning of "Öffentliche Bibliothek," public library, as defined by the parliamentary commission, whether the laws are library laws or cultural laws, and how the proposed laws affect the funding of public libraries. In particular, the library laws proposed in the state parliament of Nordrhein-Westfalen in November 2010 are discussed.

The article reports on the Hessian Library Law as a legal standard proposed by the political parties Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Free Democratic Party (FDP) in the state of Hesse, Germany. The proposed law was criticized by experts for two reasons. Critics question whether the law is appropriate for the actual situation and if the law runs contradictory to efforts to reduce bureaucracy. Also discussed are answers to the questions from a legal and political perspective.

The article is a report written by the head librarian of the Austrian Parliament describing the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) American Libraries, in which she was a participant from June 27 to July 18, 2009. The author discusses the goals of the program, which libraries were visited, including the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C, and she compares the American libraries with European libraries in function and how they are financed.

The article presents a report from the congress "A Library Policy for Europe," held in Vienna, Austria from May 7 to 9, 2009 with participants coming from 30 European countries. The purpose of the conference was to create dialog about library policy in all of Europe with the intent of fostering sustainable library growth. Included in the discussion was how to maintain high standards in the face of financial crises, legal constraints on libraries, and the role of libraries in the future.

The article presents information about the rebuilding of the central and national library in Berlin, Germany. After a 2007 inspection by the then mayor of Berlin, Klaus Wowereit, plans for the library's renovation and reconstruction were developed. Comments are given about the combination of political and scientific aspects to achieving government-supported change for libraries.

The article presents a comparative study of French and German public libraries, specifically between Bibliothèques Municipales Classées (BMCs - municipal French libraries) and die Staatlichen Bibliotheken (SBs - German public libraries). The author defines these institutional types and discusses their comparative characteristics, missions, historical development, legal regulation and standing, as well as contemporary challenges they face.

The article offers information about the library legislation bill of Thüringen, Germany in 2007. The bill's main subdivisions are noted, including freedom of information, libraries in Thüringen, education and media literacy, cultural property, and finances. Legislation about general entitlement to library resources is evaluated, and other facets of the legislation are discussed.

The third scholarly and interdisciplinary symposium „NS-Ioot in libraries" took place in Hanover, on 8th to 9th November 2007, flanked by the expositions „Displaced Books -- NS-Ioot in the university library of Marburg; at the Gottfried Wilhelm Leibnitz Library, as well as „Expropriated, distracted, indemnified -- the art collection Gustav Rüdenberg 1951-1956", at the town archive of Hanover. Investigations were made about the part of the Prussian State Library and the exchange office of the Empire as distributor institution for confiscated literature, the NS loot research, for instance at the State and university library Hamburg, the University and country library Münster, the University library Rostock, as well as the confiscation of church and monastery libraries by the Gestapo. Further subjects amongst others have been the part of the fiscal authorities at the deportation of Jews, whose properties accrued to the state, the topic restitution in old Jewish sources, the private scholar library of Elise and Helene Richter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two thirds of all European Union countries have library legislation in place. Almost aft legislation has been updated in recent years to adapt them to the needs of the information society. Library legislation is a tangible expression of the political will of a state to promote libraries. Library legislation can have many different attributes, depending on the specific political and legal conditions. Their advantages and disadvantages will be discussed and some minimum requirements of library legislation will be described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on an October 2005 agreement by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) that focuses on the protection and advancement of cultural expression, which was ratified and enacted by the German government in March 2007. The Bibliothek & Information Deutschland (BID) presents its position on the variety of cultural offerings found in German libraries.

This paper is giving an overview about the librarianship in contemporary Russia. Leading Russian experts within the area of libraries and information services have prepared the material. It has been compilated by the well-known librarian scientist and, merited collaborator of culture" Prof. Dr. Julija Petrovna Melent'eva. The overview contains sections about the characterisation of the most important library types, the presentation of the actual administration system of libraries in Russia, the characterisation of the most important constantly conducted international conferences of scholarship in Russia, the state of the art of librarian and informational education and graduation. A register contains subject media and publishers. The tendencies of the development of librarianship and information services in Russia are analysed. A compilation of the used literature with titles of leading specialists of the past years facilitates an overview. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on an October 2005 agreement determined by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) that focuses on the protection and advancement of cultural expression. This agreement was ratified and enacted by the German government in March 2007. In doing so, the government agreed to take responsibility for supporting cultural establishments. German libraries are examined as a venue for fulfilling this function.

The article presents information about a conference held at the central library in Berlin, Germany on May 3-4, 2007. The opening presentation was given by Jan-Pieter Barbian on the subject of library policy between 1934 and 1945 in Germany. Additionally, a work group dedicated to the collection of data about confiscated books between 1933 and 1945 reported on its progress.

The article discusses German government policy on library education and the alleged impact on the Deutscher Bibliotheksverband e.V. library society.

The article reports on the second special nationwide German "action week" called "Germany Reads. Meeting Place Library," taking place in November 2009. Coordinated by the Deutscher Bibliotheksverband e.V. (dbv - German Library Association), the events feature readings, exhibits, library nights, and unusual presentations throughout the country's libraries.

The article discusses proposals for library legislation in Thüringen, Germany on May 29, 2008. The library association Deutsche Bibliotheksverband criticized the proposals' lack of suggestions for further educational development in libraries, reasoning that legislation in Thüringen must be innovative enough to serve as a model for other German libraries. Requests by the Deutsche Bibliotheksverband about duties that should be included in revised proposals are given.

The article discusses a proposal for library law put forward in Erfurt, Germany on May 29, 2008. Two thirds of the 27 countries in the European Union have passed national laws concerning the purpose, standards, and financing of their nation's libraries. The library organization Bundesvereinigung der Deutschen Bibliotheks- und Informationsverbände (BID) recognized the proposal but requested that municipalities be required to support public libraries.

The article focuses on the Thuringia, Germany regional section of the "Deutscher Bibliotheksverband" (dbv; German Library Association) specifically with regard to its development of library laws within the Thuringia Parliament on November 15, 2007. In particular, the draft of a library law for Thuringian libraries was discussed.