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Describes the interlending system in the USSR before its disintegration to form the CIS. Examines the present situation in the light of recent political and economic developments. As member states assert their independence the former system has become unworkable. Many libraries are no longer willing to use the Russian (formerly Lenin) State Library as a resource for political reasons, and others cannot use it because of the new charging mechanisms which have been introduced. Use of Russian libraries by other CIS states has declined significantly, as shown by statistics. The co‐ordinating role of the Russian State Library has largely been eroded, so no central control system operates and previously agreed standards have fallen into disuse.

A review of the 3rd International Conference on Interlending and Document Supply at the National Library of Hungary in Budapest from 29 March to 1 April, 1993, and of the concurrent UNESCO workshop on East‐West information transfer. Developments in networking will move interlending and document supply from their present peripheral position in library services to centre stage, although the charges are part of a long‐established and continuing process, rather than a dramatic departure from past practice. Outlines the reasons why electronic information will continue to become more competitive than traditionally published sources and discusses some of the consequences of change. In the process of change Eastern Europe is well placed to benefit from Western development and, already, shows signs of making more substantial progress. Makes suggestions for individual and institutional actions.

Difficulties in paying for international interlibrary transactions is often given as one of the major barriers to effective interlibrary lending. Problems include lack of a specific ILL budget, the requirement that some libraries must pass all money earned from services provided direct to the funding body, and the high level of hidden costs in both charging for and paying for a transaction. Outlines how the IFLA Office for UAP is developing a voucher payment scheme which aims to eliminate the financial element from transactions and simplify the process of paying for ILL services.