The Forth International Conference and Exhibition Computers in Libraries: Information Technologies, Computer Systems, and Publications for Libraries" (LIBCOM-2000) took place on November 13-17, 2000 in Resort Center Yershovo, Zvenigorod, Moscow Region. International Library Information and Analytical Center (ILIAC) Moscow representative office was one of the co-organizers of the LIBCOM-2000 Conference.

For the first time the Conference took place outside the Russian National Public Library for Science and Technology (RNPLS&T). Over 400 participants from 17 countries attended the Conference. The Conference was successful. A lot of appreciable participants' comments prove that.

The issues of modern information, computer and Internet technologies present stage and perspectives; their role in librarianship, publishing and book trade development; international cooperation between libraries, publishing houses, research, cultural and educational institutions and book traders and distributors as well were discussed at the Conference.

The major stress at the Conference was given to the issues of electronic libraries, corporate systems and information resources integration with consideration to legal aspects of libraries' activities.

The Exhibition took place simultaneously with the Conference. The Exhibition subject scope included modern computer technologies applications in librarianship and information services, Internet technologies, electronic information sources, CD-ROMs, new services by publishing houses, print documents production and distribution, distribution of periodicals, library equipment.

As at other conferences organized by RNPLS&T, the plenary meeting included several official and problem papers. Highly professional papers were presented by the Head of Information Technologies Division, the Ministry for Industry, Science and Technology of the Russian Federation V. P. Nechiporenko and the Head of Library Department, the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation E. I. Kuzmin. Papers by A. I. Zemskov, Y. L. Shrayberg and Lester Pourciau (USA) were of particular interest. Lester Pourciau presented the original paper on accreditation of universities in the USA.

Such Conference events as the special workshop and Round Table on copyright and author rights issues; the workshop on technological problems in libraries, corporations and institutions held for the first time; workshops on corporate systems and Internet; and certainly a series of schools and educating workshops were of big interest to participants.

The educational trend of most of LIBCOM sessions is another character of the Conference. IRBIS School, which caused a tremendous participants' activity should be highlighted in the list of the Conference events in this respect. Over 70 attendees got certificates that they passed the course on IRBIS system.

The exhibition stand of RNPLS&T, where the library automated system IRBIS was presented attracted the most of attendees attention. Stands of Martinus Nijhoff Eastern Europe subscription agency, Consultant+ Company and the International Library, Information and Analytical Center (ILIAC) Moscow Office were also very informative and attracted a lot of attendees attention.

RNPLS&T publications distributed in special kiosk were of particular interest.

The next conference LIBCOM-2001 will take place on November 12-16, 2001 also in Resort Center Yershovo, which the Conference participants liked so much.