This paper sets the context for this special issue on LIS education in Greece by explaining the Greek higher education system both in organisational terms and in the approaches to teaching and learning. In addition it briefly outlines the current state of development in libraries in Greece. Taken together they provide the background to the detailed discussion which follows in the remaining papers. The next section of the paper outlines the structure of higher education (HE) in Greece; this is followed by an introduction to LIS education in Greece. Finally we present review libraries in Greece with specific emphasis on academic libraries and utilising English language publications. (Contains 1 footnote.)