NCLIS continues to cooperate closely with other Federal agencies, especially the Library of Congress, the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, and the National Science Foundation. We have also been involved with the interests and concerns of the many professional organizations in the library and information science communities. In all of these efforts we have been mindful of the need to provide more effective services to all our nation's citizens. This is the last annual report that will be submitted to you under my chairmanship. As Chairman of the Commission since its inception eight years ago, I have found these formative years a rewarding experience and one in which it has been a privilege to participate. The nation's library and information needs are great. The Commission has tried to be responsive to those needs, and has provided, for the first time, a National Program for meeting them. The realization of that program lies ahead, but with the continued support of the Administration and the Congress in helping to implement it, I am confident that the Commission will be able to perform a genuine service to the nation. Sincerely, Frederich Burkhard Frederick Burkhardt Chairman Enclosure Table of Contents Part A- White House Conference Advisory Part B-National Periodicals System Advisory V. Publications Currently Available From NCLIS. Introduction This is the seventh annual report of the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science (NCLIS), covering the twelvemonth period from October 1, 1977 through September 30, 1978. One of the most important tasks for the Commission during the past year has been the coordination and management of the White House Conference on Library and Information Services. Because of the overriding significance of the Conference, this annual report touches on Conference activities in some detail. This Conference is vitally important to our nation at this time, and it will bring needed focus to bear on matters of public policy regarding improved library and information services for our citizens. The Conference process began with a series of pre-conferences in the states and territories. By the end of the Fiscal Year, eighteen of these pre-conferences had been held, and most of the planning for the Conference itself, which will be held late in 1979, is well underway. The Commission intends to continue its diligent efforts to ensure that the Conference is a complete success. We feel sure that important new opportunities and initiatives will be identified as a result of the Conference, and the Commission must be ready to respond to these. The White House Conference is only one of several Commission activities. During the year, the Commission continued under the general guidelines established in its National Program. In doing this, the Commission addressed itself to a number of pressing problems facing the library and information service communities. The ongoing business of the Commission included the completion of three Commission Task Force assignments. One of these task forces identified the role of the school libraries in a national network. Another developed technical specifications for computerized information exchange. And a third task force evaluated and made recommendations regarding the structure and organization of standardization efforts for library services. Besides these task forces, two projects established by the Commission submitted their reports. Other work sponsored by the Commission included the establishment of an Advisory Committee for a National Periodicals System. This committee will give the Commission valuable advice on proposed methods to improve access to the periodical literature. Also, an important study on the configuration of a nationwide bibliographic data base was begun. And the Commission continues to work closely with other Federal agencies and profes sional societies whose interests lie in the areas of library and information services. This annual report begins with some general information about the Commission, followed by a report on the White House Conference, and concluding with a report on the ongoing work of the Commission. The appendices give background information on the Commission itself, its committees, task forces and publications, and finally, the fiscal statement. |