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Libri Europae takes its lead from the generally great public interest in early printed books and their restoration, and goes one step further by providing a forum for interactive dialogue between specialists and members of the public. It is hoped the project will have a lasting impact which will also be felt in libraries in other European countries. Those taking part in the project are helping to improve public awareness of our common European roots, which are preserved in the libraries, and are thus also making us aware of the urgent necessity to launch comprehensive restoration programmes throughout Europe. Here citizens can play an active role, by lobbying public figures, for instance, or by privately sponsoring the restoration of a manuscript or an early printed book .