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In recent years, we have experienced how new information technology has transformed the way we live, learn, work and play. The fast and dynamic advances in computing and communications technology have created a new infrastructure for education, research, commerce, and social interaction. As a result libraries and information centers can make available to their users a previously unknown level of service, featuring powerful global information access, retrieval and delivery capabilities. Developments in telecommunication networks, electronic publishing, interactive multimedia technologies, integrated information systems, and digital libraries, together with the explosive use of the Internet and World Wide Web (WWW), enable librarians and information specialists to offer unprecedented capabilities for more effective and efficient information management and services, as well as incredible opportunities for global information access and sharing of resources. The coming of the Next Generation Internet will offer hundreds times more capabilities for faster and better digital communications.
Such developments well known in the U.S.A. and other developed countries, are not always true for librarians and information specialists elsewhere. It has been very difficult for them to keep up with the dynamic changes which are affecting their profession.
Ten Conferences on New Information Technology (NIT) have been organized successfully since 1987 in Bangkok, Singapore, Guadalajara, Budapest, Hong Kong, Puerto Rico, Alexandria (Virginia, USA), Latvia, South Africa, and Vietnam. This series of conferences has helped to force global consensus on key problems and issues facing library and information professionals during this exciting but confusing time. As we are facing the new challenges of the 21st Century, this latest conference in Taipei, Taiwan with its exciting technical environments is intended to do the same by providing maximal opportunities for formal and informal discussions among participants from both developed and developing countries. This will also be a perfect opportunity for those who are attending IFLA in Bangkok to stop over in Taipei for stimulating and rewarding interactions with other colleagues. See also the latest published "Message from the Chief Conference Organizer".
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