Judit Lőrincz (National Széchényi Library):

Book, reading, cultural identity
The author as a sociologist is of the view that although the reading, possession and collection of books have caused a division of society, have even assumed a dedicated role in the stratum of intellectuals (among those with a secondary and especially with a higher educational accomplishment), have not, however, been given adequate emphasis among manual workers. Nevertheless, literature has become, relying on traditions of some centuries, a community-forming force both in Hungary and among Hungarians living outside the Hungarian borders. The transformation in the structure of reading material in the last 20-25 years is illustrated comparing French-Hungarian, Finnish-Hungarian, Slovakian, Rumanian and Hungarian data.
The changes in information and communication organization involve changes in the functions of libraries.
The issue of the relationship between technological development and the division of power is raised.

Marie-Claude Vettraino-Soulard (Paris):

The Internet and the press
In this article, the author examines the electronic press edition which may be divided nto two main categories: the traditional news papers which are also available on Internet, and the publications made for Internet. While traditional titles try to adapt themselves to the new media, new publications are often an emanation of big groups working in press, TV, cinema, cables, accep providers, softwares etc.

Jacques Hellemans (librarian, Belgian):

The Internet as a bibliological process
The author is concerned with the problem how the electronic revolution can become a means of development and of democratizing knowledge. The Internet is in fact nothing but a new communication opportunity for people. TCP/IP is a common language acting as a protocol in computer technology and telecommunication. It is the primary task of librarians to "distill" the data flow for the benefit of their users. The author illustrates with Belgian experience how the Internet makes the virtual library a reality.

Katalin Havas (Metropolitan Szabó Ervin Library):

The public library and the information explosion, or how a rabbit would feel on a highway
The author - a reference librarian - seeks to answer the question: Is there is a need for libraries and librarians to act as a "back up" to the machines holding information and the users routinely handling machines. She also ponders if the use of machines suppresses the importance of interpersonal relationships, and whether the shortage of financial resources set a limit to searches in databases. She finds that now that the equipment providing a liberty of information transfer is available, and the ideological and political barriers have fallen down; the only obstacle to a free flow of information is poverty.

Zsuzsanna Tószegi (Neumann Digital Library):

Robinson's case with the computer - multimedia and reading

György Rózsa (Pro Bibliotheca Foundation of the Library of the Academy):

Gutenberg will not retreat - about the relationship of the cultural heritage and the digital culture
The author deals with digital culture as a historical and social phenomenon in relation to cultural heritage. He also throws light on the role of digital culture in modernization. Modernization efforts are often accompanied by structural crises. The electronization revolution overthrows the previous technology-based economy. The author also tackles the development perspectives of professional (scientific) information and libraries.

György Sebestyén (Eötvös Loránd University):

The Galaxy of Gutenberg and the Digital Culture
The various aspects of the digital culture are presented within the framework of the recent developments in modernizing library and information policy in Hungary. The topic is presented in close connection with the assessment of the state-of-the-art of information services in Eastern Europe. Hungarian integration efforts into western information services are also examined as well as the role of international producers, users, and sources of scientific and technical information.

Lili Stoeva és J. Chekergiiska (Scientific Centre - Bulgaria)

International cooperation and Bulgarian researchers - a bibliometric approach
The presence of co-authors from different countries in publications reflects international scientific relations. The essay describes how Bulgarian researchers participate in international cooperation relying on the Science Citation Index (1994) database. The findings signal Bulgarian integration efforts aimed at joining the scientific bloodstream of Europe and the world.