October 23-26, 2000

National Libraries of the World: Interpreting the Past, Shaping the Future, held on October 23-26, 2000, brought together historians and national librarians from around the world to discuss the significance, influence, and future of national libraries.

The symposium was divided into two segments: Interpreting the Past: Libraries, Society, and Culture was designed primarily for library historians; Shaping the Future: Current and Future Issues Facing National Libraries was designed for current national librarians. The symposium was designated Library History Seminar X, continuing a series established among library historians in the United States in 1961.

National Libraries of the World was planned in cooperation with several organizations: the American Library Association's Library History Round Table; three administrative units of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA)--the Round Table on Library History, the Section on Reading, and the Section on National Libraries; and the Conference of Directors of National Libraries (CDNL). Partial support was provided by the Council on Library and Information Resources.