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Notes that the Environment Council is an umbrella body for environmental organisations in the UK and promotes the work of these organisations as well as providing a forum for debating environmental policy and prioritising ways forward. Describes the work of the Council, its business and environment programme and its information programme. Concludes that environmental organisations no longer have to convince others of the problems but instead provide answers to what should be done and how it should be done.

Looks at the environmental movement′s attitude to information provision in the context of other sources of environmental information. Reports on new initiatives in the provision of computerised systems for environmental organisations and on environmental information centres. Concludes that there is a need for research into who can provide information and the establishment of a better system for delivery of information than exists at the present time.

Focuses on the environmental movement and its approach to provision of information. Comments on guides to environmental organisations and the movement generally. Concludes that the environmental movement cannot be considered in isolation but must be studied alongside the issues and politics out of which it has arisen.

History teaching in a multi‐cultural society was one of the most frequently discussed topics in educational circles in 1990. Anybody who learned history in the pre‐1960 period would, however, have been surprised to learn that it was thought that “multi‐cultural society” was a new‐thing in the UK. To them the history of these islands seemed to be one wave of invaders after another with a sort of English only established as a universal language some 400 years ago. This strand in our history was matched by another in which brave Britons went off in search of fame and fortune, or to head off a foreign threat, overseas.

Although their “best‐by” date (14 December 1990) has passed I can't really avoid some mention of The Library Charges (England and Wales) Regulations 1990. As is usual with government documents of this ilk, it follows a long‐standing tradition of unreadability. (Is this a ploy to discourage comment, one sometimes wonders?) Persevere with it, though, and a number of worrying proposals and implications reveal themselves. These include:

Through this column I will be exploring the field of environmental information and its provision in this country. I will do this by tackling the subject from the user's point of view: each month I will pick a different user (or potential user) group, and discuss resources, services and organisations which can be of use to this group. Just to avoid any charge of repetitiveness, I will occasionally diverge from this pattern to discuss other issues.

Reports that higher education in Australia is in the middle of far‐reaching changes resulting from the Federal Government′s White Paper of 1988 which provided the blueprint for the new “unified national system”. Comments on how this has affected the provision of library services and on a particular review of higher education libraries that reaffirms that each institution is responsible for deciding the level of funding for its library. Concludes that this review has aimed to make its recommendations feasible and pragmatic, especially in terms of sources of funds for identifiable projects.

Discusses the user pay approach in Australia with particular reference to Government publications. Notes that although the Australian Government Publishing Service (AGPS) has been increasing its prices gradually it still provides free deposit copies of all its publications to the State and many university libraries. Concludes that government policies are being driven by economic crisis and appeals to the principles of free information and equality of access are perceived by politicians and administrators as being unrealistic.

Providing a service which reflects community needs requires data collection. The Public Libraries and Museums Act of 1964 requires local authorities to provide a comprehensive library service to those who may wish to make use of it. The Race Relations Act of 1976 requires local authorities to promote equality of opportunity in employment and service delivery. Together, library authorities are bound to ensure that services reflect the composition of their local populations through the provision of services that meet expressed needs.