PREPARED STATEMENT OF THE HON. HAROLD T. (Bizz) JOHNSON

I appreciate having the opportunity to share with this Subcommittee my strong support for legislation to extend the Library Services and Construction Act. This Subcommittee has established an outstanding record in recent years for developing and improving educational programs for the young people of our nation. I commend you for this effort, because I personally feel that the young people of our nation are our most valuable resource. They will be the leaders of tomorrow's world. The education they receive today will significantly affect their ability to carry on the ideals of our country and the high tradition of achievement established by past generations.

One of the key elements in the educational process is the library. The library is a symbol of scholarship second only to the schoolhouse. The library serves not only our youth, but also other people in the community who wish to further expand their knowledge or who wish to read for enjoyment. In fact, the slogan used to observe National Library week some years ago, quite aptly describes the library as "Something for Everyone."

Although libraries basically are a local responsibility, Federal and state gov ernments do help local cities and counties to build, maintain and operate these institutions. The Federal participation, when compared to mammoth Federal programs in other areas, is relatively small. It is provided under the provisions of the Library Services and Construction Act. This has been a continuing program, which in 1970 was broadened to include construction programs as well as basic assistance for supplies and materials.

With the existing program due to expire next year, I have sponsored legislation (H.R. 2893) to continue the Library Services and Construction Act in its present form for an additional two years. I sincerely hope that this Committee will give serious consideration to enacting this or similar legislation to extend this important Federal program.

Under the library services programs, it is estimated that nearly 30 million people received help from small amounts of Federal aid, not including some 800,000 blind people and 400,000 physically handicapped who got special assistance under the program. In Fiscal Year 1974, over $4 million was made available to California libraries. Northern California counties received $465,000 with each and every county in the First Congressional District benefitting, primarily through the Cooperative Library Systems Program.

I believe these funds have been well spent. One of the major reasons for the success of this program has been that the control of funds rests at the state and local levels, where the needs of the communities can best be determined and acted upon. I hope that this Subcommittee will demonstrate its continued confidence in this program by voting to extend the Library Services and Construction Act for at least two more years.

EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT,
Washington, D.C., Jan. 26, 1976.

Hon. JOHN BRADEMAS,

House of Representatives,

Washington, D.C.

DEAR MR. BRADEMAS: At the Subcommittee on Select Education hearing concerning the extension of the Library Services Construction Act December 15, 1975, you asked about the Administration's plans regarding a possible White House Conference on Libraries and Information Sciences.

After careful deliberation, the Administration has decided that it will not convene a White House Conference but will rely on the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science to develop and recommend plans for library and information policy. This Commission was created to provide just such advice. Utilizing regional, State and local library and information science groups, the Commission is now completing a program which should serve as a framework for future library related activities.

The valuable role being performed by the Commission makes it unnecessary to allocate funds for the convening of a special Conference.

Sincerely,

ALAN M. KRANOWITZ,
Assistant to the Director

for Congressional Relations.

Hon. JOHN BRADEMAS,

INDIANA STATE LIBRARY, Indianapolis, Ind., December 24, 1975.

Congress of the United States, House of Representatives, Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, D.C.

DEAR MR. BRADEMAS: Thank you for again introducing legislation to extend and strengthen the Library Services and Construction Act. What it has done for library service in Indiana is almost unbelievable. Tangible measurable results are impressive, but the changes in attitudes on the part of the library profession are most dramatic. I have been working in Indiana libraries since 1933. There was an almost apethetic attitude prevailing with little or no communication among the different types of libraries. With the advent of additional funds came an awakening and an outward thrust of services that ignored all types of barriers. Schools, universities, public libraries became compatriots in the struggle to provide information to all who need it regardless of geographical location or physical handicap. I truly believe that regardless of what funding the future holds, librarians of all persuasions in Indiana will continue to plan and work together to serve the state.

Best wishes for a happy and successful 1976 from grateful librarians.
Kindest personal regards,

(Miss) MARCELLE K. FOOTE, Director.

Hon. CARL D. PERKINS,

AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR THE BLIND, INC.,
Washington, D.C., December 15, 1975.

Chairman, Education and Labor Committee, U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, D.C.

DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: The American Foundation for the Blind wishes to express our strong support for extending the Library Services and Construction Act, particularly Title I provisions, which now cover library service to the handicapped and institutionalized individual. We hope that authorizations will be continued at present existing levels, with priority specifically designated to benefit that segment of our population "at risk”—the elderly, the very young, and the handicapped.

Sincerely,