LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, Jefferson City, Mo., March 29, 1969. Hon. JOHN BRADEMAS, Chairman, Select Subcommittee on Education, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. DEAR CONGRESSMAN BRADEMAS: My compliments to you and the nineteen Congressmen who introduced legislation to establish a National Commission on Libraries and Information Science (H.R. 8839). Certainly this proves your recognition of the importance of libraries in our modern society, and their importance to our way of life. There are two major reasons, in my view, for the establishment of such a commission. Firstly, the demands being made upon libraries of today make their responsibility as great, if not greater, than the schools and the colleges themselves. Without them the teacher's effectiveness would be less, and the information available to the student would be minimal. Our's is the ideal type way of life and its security rests upon an informed people who can appreciate the many freedoms we enjoy. Secondly, in order that libraries may be coordinated in such a way that their services are available to all, there needs to be further developed ways to bring this about, and in the least expensive way. Because librarians are so close to their work, I fear that they often do not see the wider scope of their services. As a professional librarian myself I have been appalled at the vast amount of waste of public funds brought about mainly through lack of cooperation and coordination of efforts. The vast amount of printed materials available today requires a type of skill which must be exercised with care by librarians. To select the usable and the important from the many publications is a great public responsibility, and I hope librarians themselves will continue to develop guidelines as well as techniques for proper bibliographic controls. The changing demands of people and the advent of several new methods of communication all challenge the librarian, making many of the ideas held by many currently-practicing professionals obsolete. Even the colleges and universities have been charged with stereotyping and of offering education which is irrelevant to todays needs. It is my hope that this legislation is passed and that this important body be composed of persons with broad insights into the problems facing us. And you, sir, are to be congratulated for having had the foresight to have seen the great need for the furtherance of our democratic way of life. Sincerely yours, Hon. JOHN BRADEMAS, A. P. MARSHALL, WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES, House of Representatives Office Building, DEAR CONGRESSMAN BRADEMAS: I am writing to express my interest in H.R. 8839, the Bill to establish a National Commission on Libraries and Information Science. I feel strongly that there is an urgent need in the library field at this time for a permanent, high-level body which can evaluate existing programs, plan new programs to meet growing needs and coordinate the efforts of many agencies, both within and outside the government, which are working to supply the country's varied needs for library and information services. I believe that the Commission envisaged in H.R. 8839 would serve these purposes, and I hope very much that you will endorse the Bill and work for its passage. Sincerely yours, ANDREW J. EATON, Representative JOHN BRADEMAS, WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY, SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, Chairman, House Select Subcommittee on Education, Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, D.C. DEAR REPRESENTATIVE BRADEMAS: As a member of the National Advisory Commission on Libraries and one of the authors of its Report, I write in support of H.R. 8839, the bill to establish a National Commission on Libraries and Information Science. Let me give you my reasons for believing this is the fundamental step to bring about the goals for which the President established a National Advisory Commission on Libraries. I am sure that you are well aware that national advisory commissions are outgrowths of the original Anglo-American jury concept-a group of citizens who determine the facts so that a government official (the judge or the sheriff) can act in accordance with these facts; and, secondarily, that this official's acts should reflect the informed opinion of the citizenry. The original National Advisory Commission on Libraries took this charge very much to heart. It examined reams of facts and figures; it heard hundreds of citizen-witnesses; and it debated at great length the conclusions to be drawn from all of this. The term of this Commission, however, was only one year, and it was soon apparent that a large number of the problems were too vast to be dealt with satisfactorily in the time allotted. Moreover, the members of the Commission knew that the problem of libraries were not only not static, but that the acceleration in the speed of change in libraries in our lifetime would make conclusions reached today unsatisfactory conclusions for the future. For these reasons the Commission unanimously felt that a continuing, highlevel, non-political commission of citizens should be established to consider the problems of libraries in our society at regular intervals. In view of the importance of libraries as fundamental educational devices, as gadgets for the transmission of data, knowledge, and culture, and as a means for keeping this country in the forefront of discoveries, I hope that you will vigorously support H.R. 8839 to establish a National Commission on Libraries and Information Science. Sincerely yours, Hon. CARL PERKINS, ESTELLE BRODMAN, PH. D., Librarian and Professor of Medical History. GREAT FALLS, MONT., February 19, 1969. Education and Labor Committee, House of Representatives, DEAR MR. PERKINS: I have been giving a great deal of thought to our conversation of Monday night. Because I am not familiar with, and have not worked with the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, I feel I am not qualified to testify on it. When we first discusesd this, afraid I misunderstood that your reference was to ESEA and not the Library Services and Construction Act. It would not be wise for me to appear before your committee on March 5. I am a trustee of a public library and I am knoweldgeable on the Libary Services and Construction Act. I would be qualified to testify when your committee considers LSCA. The public library field is of vital concern to me and I have a crusading feeling about more and better public libraries. I would come to Washington to testify for it when those hearings get underway. How we appreciate your conern for libraries We are proud of your interest and the concentrated efforts you have made to improve library service. Please forgive me for any inconvenience I may have caused you. Sincerely, MRS. R. D. WARDEN. Hon. JOHN BRADEMAS, Chairman, Select Subcommittee on Education, MONTANA STATE LIBRARY, Helena, Mont., March 17, 1969. DEAR MR. BRADEMAS: Thank you for your letter of March 12th and the information that you are introducing a bill to create a permanent National Commission on Libraries and Information Science. Be sure that we will do everything in our power to help to get favorable action on this excellent bill. Most sincerely, Mrs. RUTH O. LONGWORTH, Librarian. Representative JOHN BRADEMAS, NEBRASKA PUBLIC LIBRARY COMMISSION, DEAR SIR: We are pleased that you are sponsoring a bill for the creation of a National Commission on Libraries and Information Sciences. We feel very strongly about the public library, and especially its role as an independent agency to work effectively with all groups, all age levels, all interests, etc. without being tagged with one particular agency (whether it be the education department, school, community center, etc.). It must be free to reach and change, develop, and alter direction as the need occurs. It can do this if it has a flexible role in governmental structure. If grants for library service continue to remain under the Office of Education, I do hope that we can continue the recommendations of the National Advisory Commission on Libraries, with the naming of an Assistant Commissioner for Libraries. We shall be pleased to hear of progress on the bill. Mrs. JANE POPE GESKE, Consultant. DARTMOUTH COLLEGE LIBRARIES, Hon. JOHN BRADEMAS, Chairman, Select Subcommittee on Education, DEAR REPRESENTATIVE BRADEMAS: Thank you for the copy of the proposed bill to establish a National Commission on Libraries and Information Science. I am extremely pleased that such action on a national level is being proposed, and sincerely hope that the bill will become a reality. There long has been a need for a coordinating force for the divergent library services and needs of the country, and the creation of a National Commission would be a giant step forward. Sincerely, ADELAIDE B. LOCKHART, Assistant Librarian. DARTMOUTH COLLEGE LIBRARIES, Hon. JOHN BRADEmas, 750 Leland Avenue, South Bend, Ind. DEAR CONGRESSMAN BRADEMAS: May I take this means of registering, as I have with your colleague Mr. Cleveland of the Second New Hampshire District, my keen interest in and support of H.R. 8839, which you have introduced before the Congress. I hope it will be favorably reported out of the Committee on Education and Labor and acted upon affirmatively by the House. Sincerely, EDWARD CONNERY LATHEM, Librarian of the College. COLBY JUNIOR COLLEGE, New London, N.H., March 19, 1969. Congressman JOHN BRADEMAS, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. DEAR CONGRESSMAN BRADEMAS: Thank you for your letter of March 12, in which you enclosed a copy of your bill to create a permanent National Commission on Libraries and Information Science. It seems to me that this is a sound proposal, and I sincerely hope that it will be adopted. Having served for a number of years on the Governor's Study Committee for library problems here in New Hampshire, I am convinced that anything we can do to further more adequate library service is in the public interest. With best wishes to you, I am, Very sincerely yours, J. DUANE SQUIRES, Chairman, Department of Social Studies. NEW JERSEY SCHOOL LIBRARY ASSOCIATION, Re H.R. 8839. Hon. JOHN BRADEMAS, DEAR MR. BRADEMAS: Thank you for forwarding to us a copy of your proposed bill establishing a permanent National Commission on Libraries and Information Science. The New Jersey School Library Association favors the bill because we agree that a national policy is needed in order to best serve the nation's needs in the area of libraries and information services. We too feel that this calls for the establishment of a continuing federal planning agency. The National Commission on Libraries and Information Science which you propose would be the answer to this pressing need. Very truly yours, Mrs. H. T. THOMPSON, JOHNSON FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY, Hon. JOHN BRADEMAS, Chairman, Select Subcommittee on Education, Congress of the United States, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. DEAR MR. BRADEMAS: Thank you very much for your letter of March 12 enclosing copy of proposed bill concerning establishment of a National Library Commission which I read with great interest. Officials of the American Library Association will present the considered opinion of all libraries; I am therefore refraining from any comments. I wish to congratulate you on your timely initiative in introducing this legislation, and to wish you every success in your endeavors. Respectfully yours, JULIUS OSTROMECKI, Director. Hon. JOHN BRADEMAS, BURLINGTON COUNTY LIBRARY, Chairman, Select Subcommittee on Education, Congress of the United States, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. DEAR CONGRESSMAN BRADEMAS: As Chairman of the Burlington County, New Jersey, Library Commission, I should like to state that the four Commissioners and I strongly favor the creation of a permanent National Commission on Libraries and Information Science. We, being from various heterogeneous sections of a county, realize the value of an over-all Commission on a National level. May we extend our best wishes for success in the passage of such a bill. Sincerely yours, Mrs. MARGARET S. HAINES, Chairman, Burlington County Library Commission. BRO-DART INDUSTRIES, Newark, N.J., March 26, 1969. Hon. JOHN BRADEMAS, Chairman, Select Subcommittee on Education, Congress of the United States, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. DEAR MR. BRADEMAS: Thank you very much for your letter dated March 12 in reference to the bill that you are introducing to create a permanent National Commission on Libraries and Information Science. I, too, am very pleased that your bill is being presented and I shall do everything in my power, if it is desired, to assist in this important Act. I have had the honor of serving on one of the Advisory Committees to the National Advisory Commission on Libraries and I well recognize, because of that experience, the importance of this bill. Sincerely yours, ARTHUR BRODY, President. PRINCETON UNIVERSITY LIBRARY, Hon. JOHN BRADEMAS, Chairman, Select Subcommittee on Education, House of Representatives, Congress of the United States, Washington, D.C. DEAR MR. BRADEMAS: I want to express my warm appreciation to you for your initiative in introducing a bill to create a permanent National Commission on Libraries and Information Science. The proposed Commission and the declaration by the Congress that library and information services are essential seems to me an important first step toward achieving the objectives recommended by the National Advisory Commission on Libraries. Once more librarians and the vast numbers of individuals and organizations whom they serve have occasion to be grateful to you for your continuing interest and assistance. Chairman, Select Subcommittee on Education, Congress of the United States, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. DEAR REPRESENTATIVE BRADEMAS: I am very pleased to have been asked to express my views with regard to the proposed legislation creating a permanent National Commission on Libraries and Information Science, and I should like |