Toward a National Program for Library and Information Services: Goals for Action

66-133 - 76-16

Prepared by

The National Commission on Libraries
and Information Science

Washington, D.C.
1975

Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data

United States. National Commission on Libraries and Information Science.

Toward a national program for library and information services: goals for action.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

1. Libraries—United States. 2. Library cooperation—United States. 3. Information services-United States. I. Title. Z731.U5665 1975 021'.00973 75-15775

Table of Contents

LIST OF FIGURES

PREFACE

INTRODUCTION

I. THE NEED FOR A NATIONAL PROGRAM FOR
LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SERVICES

The Resources

The Need for Access

The Challenge

The Influence of Technology

A Threshold Issue

The Rationale for Federal Involvement

II. CURRENT PROBLEMS OF LIBRARIES

Public Libraries

Special Libraries and Information Centers
School Libraries and School Media Programs

University and Research Libraries

vii

ix

1

1

10

13

13

14

15

17

19

19

20

25690

IV. THE TREND TOWARD COOPERATIVE AC-
TION

31

(1) To Encourage and Promulgate Standards

(2) To Make Unique and Major Resource Collec-
tions Available Nationwide

50

53

(3) To Develop Centralized Services for Network-

ing

54

(4) To Explore Computer Use

55

(5) To Apply New Forms of Telecommunications 56

(6) To Support Research and Development

58

(7) To Foster Cooperation with Similar National

and International Programs

59

Appendix I-Public Law 91-345

Appendix II-List of Commission Members

Appendix III-List of Commission Staff

INDEX

93

95

97

85

89

Figure I

List of Figures

The Proposed National Program for Library and Information Services

Figure II

Federal and State Responsibilities in the National Pro

gram

Figure III

Proposed Coordinated Federal Support to Implement the National Program

61

65

75