Irina Bokova

Books are both object and idea. Tangible in form, intangible in content, they express the mind of an author and find meaning in the imagination of readers. Reading is this private conversation, but books are all about sharing –- sharing experience, knowledge and understanding.

... Books are the most powerful forms of dialogue between individuals, within communities, between generations and with other societies. This unique means of dialogue must be protected. The technology of books is old, but it remains cutting-edge, functional and in some conditions irreplaceable. This does not mean that change is not happening or that we should resist it outright.

The global book market is deeply affected by the rise of e-books and downloadable content. This is transforming the industry. It is impacting on publishers. It is touching on authors and readers. The implications of this transformation will be deep and long-term.

... the strengths and weaknesses of different kinds of products, about the nature of copyright today, about the role of libraries relative to on-line knowledge, about the meaning of ‘authorship’ in a world of blogs and wikis.