The General Conference, at its fifteenth session, deemed it desirable that an international instrument be drawn up for the standardization of statistics relating to libraries in the form of a recommendation to Member States. In accordance with the "Rules of Procedure concerning Recommendations to Member States and International Conventions..." the Director-General drew up the present report on the position with regard to the problem to be regulated by the recommendation and on the possible scope of that instrument. A preliminary draft recommendation is annexed. For the final report and a revised draft recommendation prepared on the basis of comments submitted by the Member States, see LI 002 089 (COM/MD/14). (Author/NH)