Why European institutions should take part in international activities.

This presentation is aimed at cultural institutions which includes museums, libraries and archives which usually have overlapping roles. It is not aimed at national or governmental organizations such as national libraries, archives, or libraries in government ministries. They have their own specific reasons for international activities which are not covered here.
This paper aims to give reasons for participation in international activities to local government and educational sector libraries, archives and museums including private museums.
Additionally, professional organisations are mentioned as they can often be a means for individuals to get involved internationally, for example through conference attendance or through representing them at international events. Of course there are already some institutions in the UK such as the Museum Documentation Association who have developed a set of rules for documenting museum objects in association with other organisations across the Atlantic and are evidently aware of the value of international cooperation. Additionally this paper is aimed primarily at discussing the benefits of cooperation with Europe.