Third World libraries, as a rule, receive information technology, technical assistance, and training as part of international development projects. Library improvements and their intended objective, information transfer, are more effective and lasting if key administrative and policy issues are addressed by the projects. Critical success factors for libraries and documentation centers in developing countries are: (1) the position of the library/documentation center within the parent institution; (2) the host country budget; (3) the director; (4) commitment to and resources for human resources development; (5) cooperation between libraries, documentation centers, and publishers in the country; and (6) linkages to regional and international networks. The five "pillars"--the necessary components of sustainable scientific information systems--are economic-technical infrastructure, information policy, information technology, human resource development, and management. (6 references) (Author/MAB)