when looking back to the year 2002 in the National Library, we cannot omit reminding misfortunes caused by the floods of August. Since the Klementinum is situated only few dozens of metres from the Vltava river, the floods, whose seriousness is unparalleled in Czech history, could have been supposed to cause drastic effect to the National Library. By good fortune, it didn’t happen so: the river regulation and man-made flood walls protected the Old Town of Prague, so the Klementinum ”only” faced the surge of underground water in its subterranean rooms. The main thing, i.e. our book collections have been successfully preserved almost at all. However, we unfortunately cannot say that the library wouldn’t have suffered any damage and that it might have been able to continue its activities without difficulties. Damage on technical infrastructure, crucial for the run of the institution, was serious and although we have managed to repair many a thing, it is still a provisional arrangement and the complete repair is only ahead of us. It remains one of our heaviest and, in addition, extraordinary tasks of the year 2003.

With pleasure, I express once again my thanks to our colleagues, who acted bravely, selflessly, honestly and showed solidarity with their institution, who directly or indirectly helped to mitigate the danger of flood or to prevent the National Library from it, and who then prepared, by summoning up all their strength, the conditions for the National Library to be able to open its door to the public in September, after four weeks of forced closing down. I cannot forget to thank those, who had been wise, prudent, and firm enough in the previous years to prepare, put through and realize safe arrangement of library holdings. And I also thank those who had prepared necessary disaster and safety rules and instructions.

For the whole country the flood was a real turning point that, of course, influenced to a large extent the future perspectives and plans in practical as well as economic aspects. Neither the National Library is an exception: the planned reconstruction of the Klementinum and its future development thus occurred in a different light; the only enforcement of the plan became more difficult and the same concerns the actual attainment of the goals of the development and reconstruction in its at least satisfactory and reasonable form, if not the optimal one, and it requires substantial compromises.

There is another experience that should be pointed out in connection with the floods. The National Library immediately and effectively assumed the coordination and expert and often also direct help in recovering damages caused by floods to other Czech libraries. It was a true test of our readiness to cope with the task of coordination and consultancy, which is expected from the National Library. After all, the National Library is charged with it by the law. Nowadays we can say that results of our efforts are positive.

However, it is not only the flood that is worth mentioning. The National Library worked on its tasks and projects intensely, both before the beginning of the floods and after it, and I can confirm that it accomplished its important objectives and made great advances again. I believe, that despite of all gaps and drawbacks the National Library is again a little closer to all, who use its services in whatever form and is more useful for them. And it was very often in spite of the aforementioned unfavourable events and other adverse conditions, among which the lack of funds is maybe the greatest difficulty. The library could make the progress thanks to the work and efforts of our colleagues, whom I would like to express my great thanks. I am well aware that though invisible in many cases, their work is meritorious.

We would like to inform you about it all through this Annual Report and we will welcome your comments, whatever they will be.

In conclusion, I thank all our patrons and donors, since without their support we wouldn’t be able to report so positively about the development of the National Library, its improved services and activities, and successful recovery of flood damages.