The basic statistical indicators show the prevalent trend of the last decade. The number of registered loans is still high. Compared to previous years, the in-house loans to the reading rooms decreased whereas the number of home loans is growing. This trend becomes evident in a rather interesting way in the number of requests. Compared to 1999, we registered one third less requests, but we satisfied almost 90% of them. This trend, by the way, also testifies to a higher information literacy of users, who has already become used to more rational means of searching the catalogues and requesting material online. Their requests are not made ´blindly´. The users understand much better the entries in OPAC and order items, which they really need, whereas in the past, they ordered many more documents than they had needed and chose from among them only prior to making the actual loan. They also do not request materials already borrowed by other readers. Here we are witnessing results of an excellent improvement in our automated lending system – online registration of in-house loans. As late as in 1999, these loans were recorded manually and to users of OPAC they appeared to be available. This trend is also underlined by the fact that 40% of requests were made online.

In 2000, the National Library had again more registered users. This fact does not correspond directly with decreasing number of so-called ´classic´ services, namely loans. After furnishing the Reference Centre with computer technology and providing access to increased number of electronic resources, the National Library has become one the most important providers of electronic services via Internet to remote and local users. These services were utilized in the Reference Centre by ca 50,000 users and almost 100% of machine time capacity was attained.

Last year, the total number of users visiting the library went down. It was most evident in the Main Services Hall. However, this trend can be taked for a positive one, since it results from a higher degree of comfort provided thanks to automated loan system. The user is not forced to request material right in the library but most of necessary steps can be done via Internet, e.g. placing requests, renewing loans, checking his borrowing account. Users only must come to collect ordered books and return them. Lower attendance was actually recorded in all reading rooms except for that of the Slavonic Library and the Reference Centre. Especially the attendance of the latter is extremely high, which is caused by a relatively very cheap and comfortable access to Internet and by an increased number of available electronic resources as well. On the contrary, we have noticed the increased attendance of educational programmes, excursions, seminars, exhibitions, and other cultural events organized by the library.

Photoduplication services are still in high demand although, during the last two years, we have recorded a small decrease in using self-service photocopying machines. On the other hand, the number of copies made to order by the library staff still has been growing. This may result from stricter enforcement of collections preservation rules in providing photoduplication services.