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This article provides information about the Public Libraries Mobilising Advanced Networks (PULMAN) project, funded under the European Commission Information Society Technologies programme. As the project is carried out in the framework of the e‐Europe action plan, the e‐Europe strategy is outlined. Background information is included about the history of the project and about the PULMAN network. The main results to date include the PULMAN guidelines, which are being reviewed throughout the remaining period of the project, the gateway to distance learning courses for the library, museum and archives sector, and training workshops. The role of EBLIDA as an important partner in the PULMAN project is discussed. This article concludes that public libraries play a crucial role in ensuring a literate information society. The outcome of the PULMAN project and the resulting policy actions contribute to public libraries achieving their full potential in the information society.

The purpose of this paper is to present findings from the European project PuLLS (Public Libraries in the Learning Society), funded by the EU's Socrates programme.

Describes a piece of action research, outlining the development and implementation of a model for delivering open learning to adult library users.

Details of the model, and the course developed and offered by partner libraries are described. Results suggest there is a significant role for libraries to play in supporting both ICT skills and wider information literacy learning.

Sharing of results may be useful for public libraries wishing to develop open learning facilities/develop audiences for lifelong learning. Suggests that libraries are beginning to move from a passive access approach to supporting learning to a more active approach in delivering library‐generated content themselves.

The paper offers insights into supporting lifelong learning in public libraries across Europe.

The progressive importance of the small business sector to the facilitation of economic growth that is necessary for the creation of job opportunities in South Africa, cannot be overemphasised. The role which tax reform plays in the encouragement of the small business sector is of the utmost importance in providing an enabling environment. The purpose of this article is to address the less advantageous treatment of, especially, assessed losses in the corporate form as opposed to the non‐corporate form. In the course thereof an alternative tax proposal, based on the working of the S Corporation in the United States of America, is put forward, which could improve neutrality between the various enterprise forms. The tax treatment and functioning of the S Corporation is investigated to determine the applicability and practicality of such a treatment of assessed losses and profits for the corporate form in South Africa. Such an application is necessary because of the assumed influence that the treatment of assessed losses have in the choice of an enterprise form. This choice should, however, be based on economic considerations rather than on tax considerations. A neutral tax system should not influence people to choose one course of action above another mainly or solely because their position is more favourable under one of the options.