Abstract
National libraries, in spite of significant differences between themselves in their origins and primary functions, have in common the necessity of developing close relationships with government since they will be funded for the most part by government grant. An effective planning mechanism will be necessary to convince government of the ability of the library to use resources effectively, but there is a real danger that monitoring of progress may cross over the dividing line and become the directing of policy. If government grant requires libraries to have regard for efficient planning, government should be sensitive to library objectives.
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