Hon. JOHN BRADEMAS, CLEVELAND PUBLIC LIBRARY, Chairman, Select Subcommittee on Education, Congress of the United States, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. DEAR MR. BRADEMAS: A copy has come to me of the bill for a permanent National Commission on Libraries and Information Science. I am glad to know that the bill will go to your Select Subcommittee on Education. The bill is an excellent one and much needed, and I hope that it will go on its way without any difficulties. If there is anything that I can do to further the passage of the bill, please let me know. Sincerely yours, Mrs. VARELIA H. FARMER, Assistant to the Director In Charge of Main Library. CATHEDRAL LATIN SCHOOL, Cleveland, Ohio, March 17, 1969. Hon. JOHN BRADEMAS, Congress of the United States, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. DEAR MR. BRADEMAS: Thank you for sending me a copy of the bill to create a permanent National Commission on Libraries and Information Science. As editor of a High School Newsletter, I will see that its main points are emphasized and publicized. The over all structure of the bill is well organized, inclusive and represents a fine (and much needed) piece of legislation. Just one question concerning Sec. 7-Authorization and Appropriations. You have the sum printed $500,00. Does this means 5 hundred dollars or 500 thousand dollars; or perhaps 50 thousand dollars? As a member of the library profession I encourage you to do all you can to support this legislation. Also the full appropriation of Title II, under E.S.E.A. DEAR SIR: May I express my deep appreciation for your thoughtfulness in providing an opportunity to comment on the proposed bill to establish a National Commission on Libraries and Information Science. Library leadership in Ohio has been increasingly concerned at the state and local levels with the critical need to improve library and information services which are so vital to the total educational and cultural welfare of today's society. Unlimited thought and energy has been devoted to a plan for the development of library facilities and services throughout the state. A similar awareness of the relevance of libraries at the national level is encouraging indeed. The administrative staff of this library has studied the provisions of the proposed bill with interest and enthusiasm. There is general concurrence that such legislation is essential to the organized and systematic development of optimum library and information service. I am pleased to report a favorable reaction to the intent and to the administrative provisions of the proposed bill. Sincerely yours, LEWIS C. NAYLOR, Director. Mr. JOHN BRADEMAS, THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES, Chairman, Select Subcommittee on Education, U.S. House of Representatives, Washington D.C. DEAR CONGRESSMAN BRADEMAS: I write in the strongest possible support of the bill which you and several other Congressmen introduced recently to create a permanent national commission on Libraries and Information Science. It is my understanding that Rep. William A. Steiger has introduced H.R. 908 which has similar provisions to create such a commission. Academic as well as public, school, federal and special librarians have watched recent developments in connection with the possible establishment of this commission with great interest. As a representative of my institution in the Association of Research Libraries, I am keenly aware of the urgency of creating this commission to provide greater support, improvements and cooperation among libraries in this country in order that they can meet the critical and growing needs of this country for information. High investments in this program will yield rich dividends to all the citizens of this country, to the individual states and to the federal government. I congratulate you on the introduction of this bill and wish you every success in getting it enacted into law. Sincerely, LEWIS C. BRANSCOMB, Director of Libraries. Mr. JOHN BRADEMAS, THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES, Chairman, Select Subcommittee on Education, U.S. House of Representatives, Washington D.C. DEAR CONGRESSMAN BRADEMAS: I strongly endorse your bill to create a national commission on libraries and information science. The strength of our nation lies in its citizens and natural resources. One can trace the historical expansion of our frontiers, our technological growth, our urban development, indeed, any aspect of our civilization, whether art, sports, engineering or literature through a strikingly parallel expansion in the library holdings in that field. Generations hence, when scholars and historians attempt to explain the phenomenon of Twentieth Century America, the strength of our arms may seem less significant than the strength of our minds as exemplified in our great public and university libraries that are unmatched anywhere in the world. My congratulations on this bill and the support of every librarian, scholar and reader are behind you. Sincerely, JOHN T. DEMOS, Assistant Director of Libraries, Technical Services. OREGON STATE LIBRARY, Hon. JOHN BRADEMAS, Chairman, Select Subcommittee on Education, U.S. House of Representatives, House Office Building, Washington D.C. DEAR REPRESENTATIVE BRADEMAS: The Oregon Library Association met in Salem last week and heartily endorsed proposed legislation to establish a National Advisory Commission on Libraries. I too am in favor of such legislation and will appreciate your inserting my statement for the record. I am deeply troubled over the reduced appropriation requests which have been presented to Congress on related library programs. Proposed cuts in the Library Services and Construction Act would be crippling just when libraries are moving ahead on many fronts. Years have been spent in planning, some of it not yet completed, and implementation would be sadly deferred. The Oregon State Library publishes an annual Directory of Oregon Libraries and this year the publication highlighted President Nixon's statement that "In a world where knowledge is the key to leadership, a modern, progressive library system is a vital national asset." A modern, progressive library system needs the leadership and guidance of a National Advisory Commission on Libraries as well as the financial support of the federal government. Sincerely yours, ELOISE EBERT, State Librarian. NATIONAL COMMISSION ON LIBRARIES AND INFORMATION SCIENCE ACT (Statement by Eloise Ebert, Oregon State Librarian) It is stated in the report of the President's Commission on National Goals that "that the paramount goal of the United States is to 'Guard the rights of the individual, to insure his development, and to enlarge his opportunity"." To achieve Goals it is essential to take steps to implement them. The establishment of a National Commission on Libraries and Information Science should give attention to the concern of our nation for the development of the individual. Books are our tools and libraries are our means. It is especially important that the nation develop overall plans for meeting national and information needs and to coordinate federal, state and local efforts. The proposed legislation will meet a felt need. I feel confident that the authorization of such a National Commission will assist in the attainment of our national goals and I urge favorable action by Congress. Hon. JOHN BRADEMAS, COLUMBIA COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE SCHOOL DISTRICT No. 5J, Westport, Oreg., March 28, 1969. Chairman, Select Subcommittee on Education, Congress of the United States, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. MY DEAR CONGRESSMAN BRADEMAS: Thank you for sending me a copy of the bill concerning the establishment of a permanent National Commission on Libraries and Information Science. As a member of the AASL Legislative Network, may I commend you for your fine work for the betterment of libraries and the education of children and young people of this country. May I ask your support for ESEA title II and NDEA title III and V. Provision for adequate funding of these acts is of paramount importance to children and young people in our country. This year's allocation is insufficient to provide the kinds of materials that makes for a rich educational background. Again, allow me to express my appreciation for your excellent service to li braries and education. Sincerely yours, Mrs. LUCILE F. HANSEN, THE ALLENTOWN PUBLIC LIBRARY, Hon. JOHN BRADEMAS, Congress of the United States, 2134 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, D.C. DEAR MR. BRADEMAS: Thank you for the copy of the proposed bill to create a National Commission on Libraries and Information Science. Your proposal sounds worthwhile, and we in Allentown will be looking forward to its implementation. Sincerely yours, Mrs. KATHRYN STEPHANOFF, Director. KUTZTOWN STATE COLLEGE, Hon. JOHN BRADEMAS, Washington, D.C. DEAR MR. BRADEMAS: We sent to you our heartiest congratulations as sponsor of the bill to create a permanent National Commission on Libraries and Information Science. We are indebted to men like you, and the late representative Elmer Holland who I knew from the time when he moved into Pittsburgh back during those black economic days. Our new representative in Congress, The Honorable Gus Yatron, I know will assure his support on your proposed legislation. During his legislative days Mr. Yatron was one of the strong supporters for education and library improvement in Pennsylvania. Again our sincere thanks for your library-mindedness. Hon. JOHN BRADEMAS, NICHOLAS G. STEVENS, Director, Library Education. THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY, Chairman, Select Subcommittee on Education, Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, D.C. MY DEAR MR. BRADEMAS: I have received your communication of March 12, 1969, and wish to commend you and your colleagues who introduced legislation to create a permanent National Commission on Libraries and Information Science. In this day of rapid proliferation of the printed word and advancement in new techniques, such a Commission can and should perform a vital function. Best wishes for success with this bill. Cordially, W. CARL JACKSON, UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA, Hon. JOHN BRADEMAS, Rayburn House Office Building, DEAR MR. BRADEMAS: I note with pleasure that you have taken the initiative and introduced a bill that would create a National Commission on Libraries. As I am sure you are aware, many of us who have been concerned with the development of effective library and information resources for the nation are convinced that such a commission is essential to both orderly growth and effective use of the large number of dollars that must necessarily be invested in this area in the years ahead. It is especially appropriate, I think, that the projected commission be established as an independent agency in the executive branch and your specifications concerning membership on the committee are commendable. We are grateful to you for taking the initiative in introducing this bill and, with many other research librarians concerned on a day to day basis with library service, we hope that the bill will have the prompt hearings and full support it deserves. Sincerely yours, WARREN J. HAAS, Director of University Libraries. TEMPLE UNIVERSITY, Philadelphia, Pa., April 8, 1969. MY DEAR MR. BRADEMAS: I wish to support the establishment of the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science and to express personal thanks to you for your interest in this matter, which promises so much for the future of all types of libraries and their role in the education of all our citizens. Yours sincerely, ARTHUR T. HAMLIN, Hon. JOHN BRADEMAS, UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH LIBRARIES, Chairman, Select Subcommittee on Education, SIR: Thank you for sending to me a copy of your form letter of March 12 stating your intention to introduce a bill to create a permanent National Commission on Libraries and Information Science. I am, of course, in full accord with the general intent and specific purposes of the bill as set forth in draft text. There is, however, one aspect of the bill which seems to me to need spelling out. This aspect has to do with definition of the library function. The bill should make clear that performance of the library function involves a concern for all types of communication service required to provide access to recorded information, education and cultural enrichment materials. Especially in higher education, there is need for a unified cross-media approach to knowledge; hence, I feel the statement of functions in Section 5, paragraph 2, should have language added which might read to this effect“(2) conduct studies, surveys, and analyses of the full range of educational communication and information service requirements of the nation and the means by which these needs may be met through communication service and information centers including the libraries of elementary and secondary schools and institutions of higher education, and through public research, special and other types of libraries and related communication service agencies." In my opinion, the work of the original National Commission suffered, to some extent, because of a failure to broaden the definition of its responsibilities sufficiently and to give sufficient direct attention in the studies made to the full range of educational communication and information services. Any permanent National Commission, it seems to me, should be prepared to work within the framework of a definition of the library function, such as stated below. "Performance of the library function means the conscious interruption (as a unique and distinct professional contribution to society) of the total stream or flow of recorded ideas and information; the selective drawing off of manageable amounts for storage, later retrieval, and distribution to individuals or groups in whatever media forms or formats might be required and are appropriate to satisfy known or anticipated needs; advising concerning the availability and use of such materials; and the exercise, in behalf of producers as well as consumers, of both feedback and critical functions about the communication resources provided." (Library Trends, Vol. 16, No. 2, October 1967, University of Illinois Graduate School of Library Science, Urbana, Illinois.) Thank you for consideration of this response to your query. Sincerely yours, JOHN BRADEMAS, C. WALTER STONE, Director, University Libraries. NEWPORT, R.I., March 25, 1969. Chairman, Select_Subcommittee on Education, Congress of the United States, Washington, D.C. MY DEAR CONGRESSMAN: Your letter of 12 March, 1969, enclosing the proposed bill "To establish a National Commission on Libraries and Information Science, and for other purposes" was received with pleasure. Recognition of the needs for library service to the people of the United States is long overdue. I concur with the purpose and general provisions of the bill. I am the chairman of the Building Committee for our local library. In that capacity I visited many libraries in Washington state, Iowa and New England during my travels. My findings are that small communities and rural areas do not have adequate library service. The cause for such conditions would require research and study. It is my opinion that one main cause is the lack of personnel in the library science field. The proposed commission could do much to promote interest in young people entering this field of endeavor which is so vitally needed to support our overall educational programs. In the first three months of operations in our new building our circulation increased forty percent. Facilities, library services and qualified staff personnel |