World watch

Staff at France's national library last week voted to end an 18-day strike that started less than a fortnight after it opened to researchers following its three-year move from central Paris to a desolate Left Bank redevelopment site. The immediate cause of the stoppage was breakdown in the hi-tech computer system, but other grievances included opening hours, working conditions, lack of natural light and difficult access between the library's four towers. Though the problems are unresolved, the strike was ended after management agreed to close the library to researchers temporarily on Mondays, as well as Sundays, to allow for more staff training and maintenance.