Libraries and other reference services play an increasingly important role in our information age. They facilitate international exchange and are indispensable information centres for culture, education, data and research. Certain specialist libraries in Germany concentrate on international cultural relations, intercultural contacts and worldwide cultural development.

At the same time the libraries of the Goethe-Institutes abroad play an important role as initial points of contact and information centres to answer enquiries on German culture - while practical assistance with library acquisitions and expansion as well as librarian exchanges are also important in promoting international understanding.

In these pages 'Deutsche Kultur International' has compiled an extensive resource containing all the most useful information in these matters.