The post‐war problems of continental libraries

Purpose – Aims to look at the post‐war problems of continental libraries.Design/methodology/approach – Presents the author's own experiences and memories of lost literature in the war years.Findings – In many countries the whole network of libraries was built up afresh – almost from nothing – with shortage of paper, of books, of library equipment, of building accommodation and library staff.Originality/value – The author stresses the importance of the resumption of the activities of international librarian organizations to facilitate the exchange of ideas, the discussion of various questions, and the re‐establishment of pre‐war services such as interlibrary loans, photographic services, exchange of publications, etc.