Greek libraries have experienced a tremendous evolution towards modernization during the last few years. The lack of tradition in libraries and the existence of an educational system based on the single textbook did not favor until recently the development of libraries in Greece. However, the European Community action aimed at enabling European libraries to play an important role in the information market, and the Community Support Framework, through which libraries could be funded at the national level, allowed for a dynamic set of actions for Greek libraries. All types of libraries, academic, public and school are moving ahead – 500 school libraries were established in secondary schools alone. In the academic libraries, the horizontal action can be proud of the creation of a consortium called HEAL LINK that shares journal subscriptions and will also operate a Union Catalog of bibliographic records. Library‐related organizations such as the National Documentation Center and the National Book Center, offer additional support in this movement of progress. This paper describes these initiatives and others.

Nowadays, special libraries have the potential to meet the challenges to transform into knowledge management centers in their parent organizations. The required steps to implement the project and its components are illustrated. Both the parent institution and the special library benefit from the KMC.

Purpose -The specific goal of this research study is to point out the utilization, integration and exploitation of the Internet among libraries in Greece. Design/methodology/approach -A survey consisting of 44 questions was distributed to librarians in Greece to collect the data for the study. Findings -The study reveals that the Internet is an essential and rigorous tool for librarians in Greece. It plays an important role for providing quality and quick reference services to users. Research limitations/implications -Limitations in this study are related to the small sample size, as well as to the number of variables studied. Practical implications -The findings of the study would provide some interesting insights into measuring user satisfaction after the introduction of the Internet and into conducting future studies with comparable results. Originality/value -As far as the author is concerned, there are no similar studies on Greek libraries and Internet. The ICT technologies could have wider implications in all kinds of libraries.

No abstract

In the era of radical socio-economic-technological developments, the Library and Information Science sector in Greece is undergoing a series of changes in a dialectic relation with technological changes. Libraries in Greece have a long history, from the Academy of Plato and the Lyceum of Aristotle in the 5th century BC to the transition of the National Library of Greece at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre. This paper aims to provide an overview and record the milestones signifying the beginning of the changes happening in every aspect of the Greek LIS landscape. In addition, it aims to highlight the changes in the Greek library scene, extending from synergies and networks to new library buildings, as well as the role of LIS education and lifelong learning.