Document supply and access in times of turmoil: recent problems in Russia and eastern Europe Available to Purchase

Describes the interlending system in the USSR before its disintegration to form the CIS. Examines the present situation in the light of recent political and economic developments. As member states assert their independence the former system has become unworkable. Many libraries are no longer willing to use the Russian (formerly Lenin) State Library as a resource for political reasons, and others cannot use it because of the new charging mechanisms which have been introduced. Use of Russian libraries by other CIS states has declined significantly, as shown by statistics. The co‐ordinating role of the Russian State Library has largely been eroded, so no central control system operates and previously agreed standards have fallen into disuse.