ED 206 280 INSTITUTION AVAILABLE from EDRS PRICE IDENTIFIERS DOCUMENT RESUME IR 009 542 Informatioh for the 1980,S. Final Report
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DOCUMENT RESUME ED 206 280 IR 009 542 TIT-LE Informatioh for the 1980,s. Final Report of the White House Conference on Library and Information Services; 1979. INSTITUTION National Commission on Libraries and Information Science, Washington, D. C. PUB DATE Apr 80 NOTE 802p. AVAILABLE FROM Superintendentof Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, WashingtOn, DC 20402 (19B0 0-324-838:QL3). EDRS PRICE MF05/PC33 Plus Postage. DESCRIPTORS Conferences: *Federal Legislation: Hearings: *Information Services: *Library Services: *National Programs: *Public Policy IDENTIFIERS *White House Conference Library Info Services ABSTRACT These proceedings of the1479 White House Conference on Library and Information Services conta resolutions which are the basi or the proposed Nationalibrary and Information Services Proar and for new national legislation. The resolutions reflect (1) the n ed to reshape library and information services in order to make them more responsive to the people served,' (21 the call for local control of services, and(3) thedemand for economy and accountability in public agencies. Transdripts of speeches, open hearings, and the joint congressional hearing ..i.mclude the following: Personal Needs by Clara S. Jones: Lifelong Learning by Francis Keppel: Organizations and the Professions by Herbert D. Benington: Gnverning Society by Major R., Ovens: and International Cooperation anA Understanding by Bernard Ostrf. Also presented are conference highlights, an outline of the proposed natioria,.1 program, an outline of proposed national legislation, an overview of the conference, and a fist of participants. Appendices inclUde the conference rules, resolutions not passed, the conference agenda, statistics, Conference via Computer by Elaine B. Kerr, and a list of conference publications and media. 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', * **************40****************************#****************t********* Nt CD U S DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION & WELFARE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION C\1 THIS DOCUMENT HAS BEEN REPRO- DUCED EXACTLY AS RECEIVED FROM THE PERSON OR ORGANIZATION ORIGIN 0 ATtNG.iT POINTS OF VIEW OR OPINIONS STATED DO NOT NECESSARILY REPRE- SENT OFFICIAL NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION POSITION OR POLICY INFORMATION FOR THE 1980's FINAL REPORT: OF THE WHITE HOUSE CONFERENCE ON LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SERVICES, 1979 F a r _ The views and opinions expressed in this. report do not necessarily reflect the. official position or policy of either the White house Conference staff dr the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science, 1717 K Street( N.W., Suite 600, Washington, D.C., 20036 4 I JO, , A For ;ale by the Superintendent of Documents. U.S. Government Printing Mice Wnohington; D 20401, 3 ; . The National -Charles Benton (Chairman) Commission on Bessie, Boehm Moore (ViceChairman) Helmut AlperS Libraries and *Joseph Becker Information Science Daniel J. Boorstin Robert W. Burns, Jr. Carlos fit. Cuadra . Joan H. Gross Clara S. Jorres Francis Keppel Marian' P. Leith 44- Frances H. Naftalin Philip A. Sprague 'NO Horace E. Tate *John E. Velde,-Jr., , Margaret S. Warden **William J. Welsh 1 Mildred E. Younger *Term expired in July 1979. Served in consulting capacity during the Conference and until Febryary 1980. -+Serves in the absence of the Librarian of Congress. r. The White House Charles Benton (Chairman) BessieBoehm Moore (Vice Chairman) Conference 'Advisory Gregory H. Adamian Committee C.E. Campbell Beall Rebecca T. Bingham Robert Lee Chancand Shirley Echelman Honorable William D. Ford Marian G. Gallagher:, Robert M. Hayes Esther Maetenke Warren Gardiner Hill Alice B. Ihrig Honorable Jacob K. Javits Nicholas Johnson Rose Marie Lopez Michael A. McCarroll Margaret C. McNamara Edward rMeade, Jr. Helen H. Meyer Jolim T. Short Jdseph F. Shubert Jeanne Hurley Simon e Philip A. Sprague Carlton J. Thaxton John E. Velde, Jr. Margaret. S. Warden Virginia G. Young 4 The White House Marilyn K. Gell (Executive Director) ConferenceStaff Jerry Vanolatos (Deputy Director) Richard,G. Akeroyd, Jr. Charles Cul hane GA/ Vera Hirschberg Thomas G. Lennox Peggy McLaughlin Heather L. Nicoll Kathleen Salata Smith Jean-Anne South The National. Alphonse F. Trezza (Executive Director) Commission on Douglas S. Price Mary Alice Hedge Reszetar eLibraries and Ruth Liepmann. Tighe Information Science. Ruby 0. Woods- Robinson, Staff The Committee of the Gordon .Ambach Conference Robert Michael Braude /" Howard W. Dillon Duane F. Johnson Janet Risha London Nancy M. Lorenzi Delia E. Martinez Robert Lee Navarro William Walter Pearson Marcus D. Salazar . , 5 iv The White House- onConferen Libra and Informa4natt Sery1*-4' v 01. The President The White Houe Washington,.D. C. 20005 Dear Mr.' Ftesident: . I have the honor to transmit for voun consideration the final report of. the White HOuse Conference on Library and Information Services. I Ipnt to express my appreciation and theappreciation of the thouands of persons who parti6ipated in the Conference for yoUr strong support of its objectives and for.your words to the delegates. 40 This reporttdoduments the ideas and hopes of million's of Americans who want to meet the future library and informatioh services needs of our 'Nation.. , Your recent appointment of a 13-member Interagency Task Force to study the report indicates to me the high priority you have set far the goals of the Conference. The National Commission on Libraries and Information Science stands ieady to assist you in any way .possibit;to transform thelecomnendations of the Conference into reality., On behal.f.of the National Commission and the Conference participants, I wish to thank you for your support and cooperation. We look forward to your recondendations. 0 spectfu11y submitted, Charles Benton Chai , White HouseCOnference on Library and Information Services Chairman, National COmmission On'Libraries and Information Science /IS lJ Introduction r The resolutions passed by thedelegates tothe first White. House Conference dealing with library andinformation services are the core of this report. They are the basisfor the proposed National Library and Information Services Program and newnational legislation contained in the report. These resolutions represent atrue grass, roots expression ofthe Nation's library and information . services' future need's, They.are the result ofthe involvement of more than 100,000 people across the Nation participatingfor two and one-half years before the Cdnference in research,planning, and discussions on what people...really need, now andin the future, from library and information services.P. - Several underlying themes are evide t in theresolutions. These themes reflect larger societal trends and indicatesignificant future, directions in our society. First, the delegatesclearly saw a need to reshape library and information services in Order tomake these services more responsive to the people served.Second, there was a strong call for local control. This seems tobe an expressiOn of new community interest that is developingthroughout the country in -many areas of activity. The current movetoward Federal deregulation of many industries is an additionaldemons/ration of the trend.toward less Federal and more local control. Third,there was a denIand for economy and accountabilityin public agencies. The delegges felt that it was very important for agenciesNoprovide services in amOre efficient and cost-effective Manner.' Thelmplitatios of this report are,significant;especially in . light of current economic realities. Requestsfor funding are not in favor today, whatever the service or product,Thus, it is important that we specify the uses and benefits oflibrary and information., services. These services can, in fact,help us both as individuals and as a society to deal effectivelywith the broad economic difficulties we face as a Nation. A verymodest investment in.such services can yield wide-ranging economic benefits. For example, the'individual American pays anaverage of $5.15 per year to support his or herpublic library. That is the price of approximately four gallons ofgasoline, seVeralioaves of bread, one gallon of cheap'Paint, ordinner for two at McDonald's. It does not buy even,one hardbackbook, the average cost of which is now more than $20. All of uskriew what $5.15 can and cannot buy. ) What does that $5.15 buy at the library? Among other things, the library user can getinformation on O how to cope with spiralling inflation, how to get.ajob, how to fix up a home or repair anautomobile. One can find help in dealingwith income taxes, and maybe save afew dollars thereprobably more -than $5.15. Most important, a citizen can getinformation about government: congressional hearings, Statelegislation, voting records of candidates for.public office. Suchinformation enables all citizens to participate effectively inthe democratic process., A second example of the economicbenefits that library and information services can provide has to dowith tratisporta- 2 tion/communicatiOns trade-offs, The increase infuelcost's has vii Introduction M1 affected not only the. decision and actions of individuals, but also those of government. Most of usare aware that airline travel has gon.e up-42 percent in thg last year. Mbre and more Federal agencies are finding it financially impossible to have representatives .travel to meetings'iround the country apd are seeking new ways