The paper describes the development and impact of two of IFLA's core programmes, Universal Bibliographic Control (UBC) and Universal Availability of Publications (UAP). Initiated in the 1970s, both programmes were brought to a close in 2003. UBC was built on the principle that each country was responsible for the identification and description of publications in its own territory, following an international standard for bibliographic description. The programme also played a key role in the development of a universal machine-readable format for the exchange of bibliographic information. UAP articulated the ideal that a publication should be available to anyone, at any time and in any place. To this end it initiated a series of practical activities to enhance access to publications, including the International Interlending Voucher Scheme. The paper considers the administrative and financial structures of the programmes, identifying their strengths and weaknesses. It concludes that both programmes have left a legacy of standards, programmes and publications that will stand the test of time.