The Netherlands in the European Community: A cultural area of modest proportions with a few large publishing companies with international interests

As European economic integration proceeds, governments will have to address the cultural issues that they have thus far neglected. In the Netherlands, special, concerns include a decline in the level of reading and of book sales, the need for low VAT rates and fixed book prices, and the forcing out of small producers. At the same time, integration offers opportunities in the maintenance of local markets, multicultural and language education, and harmonization of copyright laws. Joost Kist has been active in publishing since 1953. He was vice-president of the Executive Board of Wolters Kluwer and retired from its board in January 1990. He remains a consultant to the board and special assistant to the chairman. Dr. Kist is a member of the Council for Libraries and Information Services and author ofElectronic Publishing: Looking for a Blueprint and many articles on the subject of new media. Wolters Kluwer was formed in 1988 by the merger of the Wolters Noordhoff and Kluwer groups. In May 1990 they purchased J.B. Lippincott from HarperCollins. Their turnover for the last fiscal year was just over $1 billion, with pretax income of $123.5 million.