Introduction

In 2000, the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) and the International Publishers Association (IPA) established a joint steering group to work together on matters of common interest.

The mission statement of the IFLA-IPA Steering Group is as follows:

"To improve library/publisher relations throughout the world through cooperative inititatives and ongoing dialogue and communication for the mutual benefit of the two communities. As technological developments are changing the way both communities operate, it is important to identify and promote areas of synergy and discuss ways to address divergences".

The Groug of eight members is currently co-chaired by Claudia Lux, IFLA's President (2007-2009), and Herman P. Spruijt, IPA's Vice-President. It usually meets three times a year, and has thus met more than 20 times since its foundation in 2000. It has issued several joint statements since.