January 18, 1977 The President The White House Dear Mr. President: I have the honor of transmitting to you the fifth Annual Report of the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science. The report is submitted in accordance with Section 5(a)7 of the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science Act (Public Law 91-345 as amended by Public Law 93-29, Section 802). The Commission marked a significant turning point in the direction of its activities at the end of the last fiscal year with the publication of its official program document, "Toward a National Program for Library and Information Services: Goals for Action." The National Program Document was submitted to the President and the Congress on the assumption that as a long-range planning document it would serve to assist the Administration and the Congress in the review, revision, and development of the Federal role in library and information service programs. The program document, upon its publication, quickly received the support, in principle and concept, of the major professional library and information service associations: The American Library Association; The Association of Research Libraries; The Special Libraries Association; The American Society for Information Science; The Medical Library Association; The American Association of Law Libraries; and The National Federation of Abstracting and Indexing Services. The emphasis of the National Commission's efforts then shifted from program development to implementation. Actually, as the national program was in its later development stages, it became apparent that certain requirements would not be altered by further refinements, and implementation in these areas was begun. It was also apparent that much of the information that would be required for making implementation decisions was not currently available and that efforts to collect required data should begin immediately. Typical of these early activities were the support of conferences leading to the establishment of the Continuing Library Education Network and Exchange (CLENE), and a study of interactions between traditional library services and new information services. During fiscal year 1976, data collection and implementation activities became the major thrust of the Commission's work. Underway or initiated in fiscal year 1976 were studies of: the role of the Library of Congress in the national network; the impact of Federal funding programs on public libraries; an inventory of national library needs; and the volume and characteristics of library photocopying. In addition, NCLIS-sponsored task forces were formed to develop a program for providing ready access to periodicals and to develop protocols for computer communication between differing library network systems. At the same time, NCLIS was involved in other activities in the areas of continuing library and information science education, coordination of bibliographic control, resolution of copyright issues, and identification of significant issues to be addressed in the areas of national information policy. All of these activites have required intensive communication and coordination with other organizations-both government and nongovernment-with which the Commission has common interests. Both Commissioners and staff have devoted considerable time and energy to informing many organizations and the general public about the national program, soliciting comments and suggestions, and engaging in discussions of cooperative ventures. The Commission wishes to take this opportunity to express its appreciation to you for your support of its work. Sincerely, Frederick Burkhardt Chairman alphone 7 элезза Alphonse F. Trezza Executive Director Table Of Contents Introduction.. The Framework: Elements of the National Program. The Ideal of Equal Opportunity. Page 1 The Basic Assumptions. The Program Objectives.. Approach to Implementation. 4 White House Conference On Library And Information 7 Supporting Studies 9 Elements of Information Resources Policy: Library and 9 National Inventory of Library Needs 10 The Role of the Library of Congress in the National 11 19 Task Force on a National Periodicals System. State Library Agencies and the National Program: A Computer Network Standard Protocol. Other Activities The Copyright Compromise. Tuesday at the White House. Regional Library Services Program Officers' Meeting. Library and Information Services for Native Americans.. Communication with the Library and Information Service Future Plans Administration And Organization....... Appendices.. I. The Act-Public Law 91-345- IV. List of Commission Committees V. Toward a National Program for Library and VI. Part A-The White House Conference (Public Part B-White House Conference Advisory Com- VII. Official Resolutions of the National Commission on VIII. NCLIS Publications _ _ 71 IX. Contracts and Task Forces Supported by the Na- Science___ X. Fiscal Statement_ 89 388 77 Introduction This is the fifth Annual Report of the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science (NCLIS); it covers the period July 1, 1975, through June 30, 1976. With the publication, at the end of the last fiscal year, of its official program document, "Toward a National Program for Library and Information Services: Goals for Action," the Commission marked a significant turning point in the direction of its activities. For several years prior to that milestone, the Commission's emphasis had been on preparation of the program document, tapping the resources of the library/information science (LIS) community, as well as the community at large, for the input necessary for the development of a sound, workable program. With the publication of the program document-and its almost immediate acceptance by the major professional LIS associations-the emphasis shifted from program development to implementation. This was not, of course, the beginning of implementation. On the contrary, over a year earlier, as the program was approaching its present form, it became apparent that certain requirements would not be altered by further refinements, and implementation in these areas was begun. It was also apparent that a good deal of information that would be required for making implementation decisions was not currently available, so efforts to collect the required data were also begun. Typical of these early activities were the support of conferences leading to the establishment of the Continuing Library Education Network and Exchange (CLENE) and a study of the interactions between traditional library services and new information services. However, during fiscal 1976, data collection and implementation activities became the major thrust of the Commission's work. Underway or initiated in fiscal 1976 were studies of: the role of the Library of Congress in the national network; the impact of federal funding programs on public libraries; an inventory of national library needs; and the volume and characteristics of library photocopying. NCLIS-sponsored task forces were formed to develop a program for providing ready access to periodicals and to develop protocols for computer communication between differing library network systems. At the same time, NCLIS was involved in other activities in the areas of continuing library and information science education, coordination of bibliographic control, resolution of copyright issues and identification of significant issues to be addressed by national information policy. All of these activities have required intensive communication and coordination with other organizations-both government and nongovernment with which the Commission has common interests. Both Commissioners and staff have devoted considerable time and energy to informing many organizations and the general public about |