The momentum which it is hoped will lead to the launch of an Italian art libraries’ association began with the IFLA conferences at Tokyo and Brighton. Subsequently, librarians in Florence joined together to organise the 3rd European Conference of the IFLA Section of Art Libraries which was held in Florence in November 1988. Meetings of Italian art librarians, called to discuss the formation of a national association, were held at Florence and, one month later, in Rome; as a result, a working group has been set up to consider a constitution. In spite of the lack of a strong tradition of cooperation, the progress which has already been made seems certain to continue.