Abstract
An overview of cooperative and ICT-based projects in British libraries is provided. Many of the early projects of the 1970s and 1980s have ceased but some have developed into current working services. During the 1990s the UK government funded various initiatives to improve the learning opportunities for its citizens whether through formal education courses at colleges or universities or by ‘lifelong learning’. Descriptions are given of the Electronic Libraries Programme in Higher Education Institutions and the People's Network in public libraries, and current developments in these sectors as well as in the national libraries of Britain, Scotland and Wales are provided. Sources of further of information are also given.