The European Booksellers Federation (EBF) is the organisation representing national booksellers federations in Europe; its mission is to further the interests of booksellers throughout Europe (for more information http://www.ebf-eu.org/).
The Federation of European Publishers (FEP) is the organisation representing national publishers associations in Europe; its 26 member associations represent the vast majority of the European publishing sector (for more information http://www.fep-fee.eu).
In view of the current situation in Bulgaria and the decision to stop subsidising libraries in their acquisition of books, EBF and FEP insist that the widest access by all citizens to books is paramount and that this is best realised when citizens can acquire or borrow books from either bookshops or public libraries.
The financial support to public libraries must be balanced with sound regulatory and market conditions to allow a healthy publishing industry and booksellers’ network, sustaining a viable book sector.
Reading plays a crucial part in the knowledge society and, as a consequence, in disseminating culture and enhancing competitiveness and employment; governments should therefore pledge to support all stakeholders of the book sector through adequate cultural, fiscal and industrial policies.