I strongly support the proposed bill and will write and urge the Rhode Island congressmen to support its enactment. Very truly yours, DANIEL CARLSON, Hon. JOHN BRADEMAS, Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy (Retired). SUMTER COUNTY LIBRARY, Chairman, Select Subcommittee on Education, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. DEAR CONGRESSMAN BRADEMAS: I appreciate the opportunity to comment on the proposed legislation "To Establish a National Commission on Libraries and Information Science, and for Other Purposes". I would like respectfully to voice my objections to the proposed legislation. Chiefly, my objections stem from what appears to be a lack of definition as to the authority of the proposed National Commission and a further vagueness as to the scope of its function. I feel that the proposed legislation would result in an agency with an inherent potential for the usurpation of authority and prerogatives of libraries on the state and local levels. In my opinion, the legislation should clearly state what the Agency may do and what it may not do. For example, under "Functions", Section 5(a)4, “develop overall plans etc.", would libraries on the state and local levels have a voice in the formation of these plans? Should not the legislation provide safeguards to assist state and local libraries in preserving local autonomy? As you know, there has been some talk recently of reducing the power of the Federal Government and returning to the states a greater share of responsibility in dealing with the problems and needs of our complex society. In my opinion, the legislation under consideration would result in one more questionable Federal agency. Too often, it seems to me, we labor under the assumption that it is necessary to create a new Federal agency each time a new need or a new problem becomes evident. Frequently, what we produce, in effect, is yet another obstacle in the path of local administration. We have yet another bureau with which the local administrator must contend. The situation contributes in vicious circle fashion, to a greater dependency on the bureaucratic process, hence, contributing to the erroneous belief that the agency is needed. From the viewpoint of a public librarian, I question the need for a National Commission on Libraries. Contrary to the commonly held belief, I feel that public library service is developing satisfactorily under state and local direction. I do not feel that National direction is needed nor desirable. The problems of informational science are, in my judgment, unique and are of such magnitude that Federal guidance is needed to assure a network of systems for the instantaneous dissemination of stored data. Here, the need for central direction is evident. I feel it is mistaken to view the functions of the public library, the university library, the special library, and the informational center (library) as the same. Each possesses a unique function. To lump them under one central agency is to reduce the effectiveness of each while weakening the effectiveness of the Federal Government in providing assistance where it is really needed. No doubt, in drafting your proposed legislation, you have worked closely with representatives of the American Library Association. I feel that in conducting hearings before the Select Subcommittee on Education, it would be extremely useful if a diversity of views could be expressed. I sincerely appreciate your asking for comments on the proposed legislation. I also thank you for your interest in behalf of libraries. Sincerely, CHAPMAN J. MILLING, Jr., Librarian. JOHN BRADEMAS, RAPID CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, Rapid City, S. Dak., March 27, 1969. Chairman, House Select Education Subcommittee, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. DEAR MR. BRADEMAS: Thank you for sending me a copy of H.R. 8839, and congratulations to you for your fine work. I am writing our state representatives today to tell them to communicate with you on the bill and to assist by sponsoring any other bills which would have the impact on libraries that your bill has. We in South Dakota are desperately in need of such legislation. Sincerely yours, VELVA STERRETT, Coordinator, Library Services. CITY OF AUSTIN, March 24, 1969. Re the bill to establish a National Commission on Libraries and Information Science, and for other purposes. Hon. JOHN BRADEMAS, Chairman, Select Committee on Education, Congress of the United States, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. DEAR CONGRESSMAN BRADEMAS: The limitation in the section on membership (Sec. 6.[a]) that "Not more than five members" be professional librarians with the remainder being persons with special competence "in the needs of our society for library and information services" seems to me to be a paradox. May I suggest that the section designate that more professional librarians be included on the Commission, and particularly that they be Public Librarians? My point is that the five "professional librarians" could conceivably be a school librarian, a Junior College librarian, a University librarian, a medical librarian and a research librarian. As a result, the Public Library would be given short shrift, just as it was in the Report of the National Advisory Commission on Libraries. Yet the Public Library is the very institution which reaches the broadest spectrum of the United States population! Special libraries, with limited groups of readers, such as school libraries, academic libraries, and research libraries reach only a small number of the total population, while the Public Library's responsibility is to all the people— including people served by other special libraries. Focusing on libraries in schools, colleges, Universities, research companies and professional associations is fine, but users of these libraries must either be enrolled, employed or a member in order to be an eligible patron. Unfortunately this rules out a good number of Americans. The Public Library, on the other hand, embraces everyone. Its book collections, its services, its programs and activities are established to appeal to men, women, pre-schoolers, elderly, adolescent, handicapped-of any age, educational level or interest. The Public Library has been called the "People's University," yet ironically it seems unlikely that it will be sufficiently represented on a Commission whose responsibility is to see that "library and information services (are) adequate to meet the needs of (all) the people of the United States . I heartily support the Bill and commend you for your interest, but I also strongly recommend that (Section 6.[a]) read: "Not more than five members of the Commission shall be professional Public Librarians" and that the remainder of the Commission be made up of non-public librarians, information specialists, educators, scholars, and researchers plus any others whose background or experience qualifies them. Thank you very much for your kind consideration. Sincerely, DAVID EARL HOLT, Director. TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY, Hon. JOHN BRADEMAS, Chairman, Select Subcommittee on Education, Congress of the United States, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. DEAR MR. BRADEMAS: We are pleased at your efforts to establish a National Commission on Libraries and Information Science Agency for the purpose of giving direction to services on a nation-wide basis. Of particular significance is the inclusion of information science as an umbrella type coverage for the total area of storing and dissemination of facts. Please be assured that any support for your bill available from this office will be enthusiastically given. Sincerely yours, Mrs. LAVERNE MORRISON, Library Consultant, Instructional Media Division. THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN, Hon. JOHN BRADEMAS, Chairman, Select Subcommittee on Education, House of Representatives, Congress of the United States, Washington, D.C. SIR: We are pleased to learn of your initiative in introducing a bill to create a permanent National Commission on Libraries and Information Science. As the report of the National Library Commission indicates, information is a vital national resource which has not been full utilized because of the inadequate planning and funding of existing information services. The creation of a permanent National Commission is an important first step in developing agencies to make full use of information in education and research. We heartily endorse your efforts to create a permanent National Commission on Libraries and Information Science. DEAR CONGRESSMAN BRADEMAS: I have read the draft bill on a National Commission on Libraries and Information Science with much interest and appreciation. You seem to have included the major elements needed to make this a functioning body. Adequate study and coordination are surely among the primary responsibilities of this proposed commission. I am certainly in favor of your bill and trust it will receive favorable consideration by the Congress. Sincerely yours, EDWARD G. HOLLEY, UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY, Hon. JOHN BRADEMAS, Congress of the United States, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. DEAR MR. BRADEMAS: Following receipt of your letter of March 12 regarding your bill to create a permanent National Library Commission on Libraries and Information Services, I discussed the matter with the Library staff here and wish to make the following brief comments: We are always grateful for the attention Congress gives to the libraries of the Country. However, the bill, as it stands, seems not to provide a commission with any substantial work to do. Moreover, the impression is growing on us that too much attention is being given to the creation of standard procedures and programs, and we feel that the strength of libraries has to do with diversity and not with sameness. It is recognized that some compatability in services and patterns of organization is required, and most libraries, having recognized this fact, are following general patterns established by the Library of Congress. Therefore, in a brief kind of conclusion, it may be suggested that the functions assigned to the National Commission on libraries might very well be assigned by the Library of Congress. But here also, we might urge some reservation, because not all of us are sure that Libraries should fall under the general pattern and design of the Library of Congress. The suggestion that such patterns and services might affect a total economy in the management of libraries is perhaps erroneous, and that every library maintaining its own diverse character may find its own ways to affect good management procedures. In sum, we think that there is no adequate justification for the creation of a National Commission on Libraries. Sincerely, Hon. JOHN BRADEMAS, MILTON C. ABRAMS, THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH, Chairman, Select Education Subcommittee, DEAR CONGRESSMAN BRADEMAS: I am writing to you in relation to the bill you are sponsoring to create a National Advisory Commission on Libraries. I have read the proposed bill and wish to tell you that I agree with its spirit and urge you to do everything possible to have this bill become law. I am writing to my Congressman, Representatives Lloyd and Burton, and Senators Moss and Bennett, to ask for their support on behalf of this bill. I appreciate what you and other friends of libraries in Congress are doing to help us build a better system of libraries in this nation. We need all the help we can get from men such as you who have the interest and the power to create legislation which will make it possible for us to develop strong libraries in this country. Sincerely, Hon. JOHN BRADEMAS, Chairman, Select Subcommitee on RALPH D. THOMSON, THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH, Salt Lake City, Utah, March 31, 1969. Education, House of Representatives, DEAR REPRESENTATIVE BRADEMAS: We very much appreciate your efforts on behalf of American Libraries and have asked our Congressional Delegation to strongly support your bill to create a permanent National Commission on Libraries and Information Science. We sincerely hope that the Commission will be more than a paper organization. There are some very fine people available for service on such a body, and there is certainly a great interest in the profession to support the work of the Commission. You and your colleagues can do a great deal to support the Commission through future annual appropriations. Did you make no provision for the relationship between the Commission and the Library of Congress because you felt this should be worked out by the Commission or are there other reasons why you specifically left this relationship out of your bill? As you know, the Library of Congress has already assumed leadership in a number of the areas spelled out in Section 5. A very close working relationship between these two bodies would be highly desirable. Ideally such a relationship should not be left to the good will of the men involved. We assume that Section 5(a)(3) includes Library and Information Science Education. But this matter is not clear. Would you feel it appropriate to expand the language to include programs of education for librarionship as well as libraries themselves? Thank you for submitting this much needed legislation and careful drafting that went into it. Cordially, RICHARD W. Boss, President, Utah Library Association. Mr. JOHN BRADEMAS, MIDDLEBURY COLLEGE, Middlebury, Vt., March 14, 1969. Chairman, Select Subcommittee on Education, Congress of the United States, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. DEAR SIR: May I commend you and your colleagues on your wisdom in introducing a bill to create a permanent National Commission on Libraries and Information Science. With the great demand for up-to-date information, and the colossal amount of information now being generated, it is imperative that some coordinating efforts will have to be made at the national level. In Vermont, where the total library resources do not come close to equaling those of Harvard, national and interstate networks are a necessity. Especially so, if the public school and college libraries are going to do an adequate job. My best wishes go to you for the successful passage of this bill. You are doing a great service to the libraries of the nation. Sincerely yours, Hon. JOHN BRADEMAS. House of Representatives, JOHN R. MCKENNA, Librarian. ALEXANDRIA, VA., March 23, 1969. Congress of the United States, Washington, D.C. DEAR SIR: Your thoughtfulness in sending me the text of your bill to create a permanent National Commission on Libraries and Information science is greatly appreciated. You have my full and unqualified support on behalf of this legislation. American libraries in all settings have for years pioneered in offering physical and intellectual access to information in books and other documentary materials. We have today the finest library services of many kinds of any nation in the world. We owe no small part of our success to the actions of the Congress of the United States. The Library Services and Construction Act, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, the Higher Education Act, and many other pieces of legislation have been major forces in building libraries to improve the quality of man's environment. In spite of our efforts much remains to be done. Support to libraries that serve the public must be sustained and expanded. These are the agencies that are dedicated to exposing culture to citizens regardless of their ability to pay for this access. A bigger job than ever faces these libraries as we move to recreate a livable inner city. College and university libraries face vastly expanding tasks as our student population grows. Special libraries in industry, and research libraries everywhere are being required to switch information among laboratories and offices with ever more precision and efficiency. All of these kinds of libraries must be integrated into networks that will respond as a totality to those who search for information and publications. An agency such as the proposed National Commission is required to help us in assessing our needs, our resources, our capabilities, and our clienteles, and in planning the steps towards the realization of a model environment for information handling. We are concentrating ever more effort on good library facilities and services. Nevertheless there are gaps in our effort. I cite for example the large and prominent quasi-public research libraries of the United States, such as the Research Division of the New York Public Library, the John Crerar Library (Chicago), the Linda Hall Library (Kansas City), the Folger Library (Washington) and the Library of the Smithsonian Institution (of which I am Director). These libraries maintain large special collections of research materials that are attractive to, and serve the public through direct access and interlibrary lending, although in varying degrees they are privately funded libraries. Yet, as important as they are, and as vital as they are to other libraries in providing back-up collections, they do not qualify for much needed assistance under any of the fine Federal programs to support libraries. It is to gaps in our national planning that a National Commission can address itself. The information industry, including libraries and information science research and development agencies, are stepping off into new and powerful areas of technical developments. Communication technology should provide us with the capability to offer services of unprecedented quality, with greater efficiency |