Don Raistrick, who is nearing the end of a long career in the government service, and who was recently awarded the MBE, writes about the challenges of working in a government department which has changed dramatically over the years. The DCA has to conform to its own change agenda and to that of the government. This has affected the organisation of library services, creating pressures caused by increased responsibilities and a broader customer base but in a climate where project disciplines are used to define and introduce new services and where we are encouraged to share our experience and our services with other departments.