The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) Social Responsibilities Discussion Group was officially established in December 1997 to address the role of libraries in society. The group is initially concentrating on the following themes: equality of access to library collections and facilities; the growing gap between library rich and poor both within and between countries; and the "right to know." This policy paper was developed from six discussion papers prepared for the 1998 IFLA meeting. The themes of the discussion papers were: (1) rural library development; (2) literacy in libraries; (3) fees for library services; (4) human resource development; (5) the electronic information gap; and (6) north-south library cooperation. Comments on the profession, library associations, and IFLA structure are also included. (Contains 45 references.) (MES)