The Central Technological Library of the University of Ljubljana was established in 1949, and introduced computer support as early as the 1980s. Today it aims to develop hybrid library forms (more whole-text databases and CD-ROMs and less printed publications) and distance learning methods. Its focus is on technical literature and it boasts broad international experience, being the main library and information centre on the natural sciences and technology in Slovenia. With a total area of 2,900 square metres, the library incorporates 130 reading room seats and 17 computers, offering access to a wide spectrum of literature (around 300,000 items, among them 1,200 periodical titles, 600 of them in electronic form, and 40 computer databases). Of its 16,000 active registered readers, around 75 per cent are students. Since 1988 the library has been part of the national library network COBISS - Slovene Virtual Library system and a member of many international professional associations such as the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), the International Association of Technological University Libraries (IATUL), ASLIB, the UK Serial Group (UKSG), the National Acquisition Group (NAG) and the Ligue des bibliotheques Européennes de recherche (LIBER). The library has participated in the Copernicus programme, in the Establishment of Electronic Information Services in the Countries of Central Europe project and in the New Independent States project co-ordinated by the German National Research Centre for Information Technology. The German Reading Room was founded in 1995 under the auspices of the Goethe-Institut Ljubljana, it has been co-funded by the Ministry of Culture. Contracts for inter-library exchanges are signed with all important information centres in Europe (BLDSC, BLOSRIS, TU Delft, Subito, Ann Arbor, etc), and IFLA Voucher and bank card payment systems have been implemented. International projects in the field of digital library development, information systems and library and knowledge management are underway. The Central Technological Library has considerable experience in conference organisation, at both the national and international level, and has hosted specialised library meetings, international conferences on high school libraries, the IATUL international conference and the 'The Role of Libraries in Economic Development' conference, organised in co-operation with ILA.