I ask that you give your active support to H.R. 11823 which would enable such programs to be undertaken and further includes provisions for the training of staff necessary to carry on such programs successfully. Sincerely yours, EDWIN CASTAGNA, Director. STATEMENT OF HON. AL ULLMAN, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF OREGON Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, I request permission to include in the record of this hearing a letter I have received from Miss Eloise Ebert, the State librarian of Oregon. This letter is a succinct and well-written appeal for the enactment of legislation to amend the Rural Library Services Act. The new program would include public libraries, school libraries, libraries of institutions of higher education, and library training institutes, and would remove the present population limitation of 10,000 or less. I note with particular interest that her letter mentions the increased demands which the new era of space exploration and technology has made upon our institutions of higher education. As members of this committee know, I have long been concerned with the development of public community colleges to help meet the increasing needs for education beyond the high school. The idea of a community college is experiencing nationwide support and growth. Many junior and community colleges have been established within the past few years. These new young institutions, so vital to the total educational effort of this Nation, very much need the assistance for their libraries which an expanded program of Federal aid for library services would provide. In my opinion, these institutions are ideally situated to pass on to the local community the benefits of good libraries. It is my hope that this Congress will enact legislation to extend the Rural Library Services Act as provided in H.R. 11823 and the other bills before you. I feel sure you will find Miss Ebert's letter informative. OREGON STATE LIBRARY, Hon. AL ULLMAN, House of Representatives, DEAR MR. ULLMAN: Many thousands of individuals in Oregon would benefit immeasurably from an expanded program of library services which would result from the extension of the Library Services Act under the provisions of H.R. 11823. In the past 6 years, since the passage of the original rural library services bill, approximately 500,000 people out of a total State population of 1,768,687 are receiving better library service as a direct result of this legislation. Individuals have not only benefited personally, but citizens and public officials have had their needs dramatically publicized, which will steadily accrue increased public support for library services. The rural areas, however, represent only one area of the underprivileged library public. Population experts shock us with the information that 85 percent of the total national population growth of the last decade occurred in 212 standard metropolitan areas. In Oregon, this trend is reflected in lack of adequate facilities in the Portland metropolitan area, which cuts across the boundaries of several counties, and the Eugene-Springfield area is reaching out for a solution of their library needs. These two metropolitan areas alone constitute more than half of the total population of the State. Modern library standards are based on a cooperative system of libraries. Accelerated secondary educational programs and the "jet-propelled" community college program in Oregon have placed additional burdens on public libraries, and none are able to meet existing minimum national standards. The increased enrollments in institutions of higher learning are nationwide. The need for all citizens for an extended vocational, technical, and professional education has developed a dynamic need for library materials which existing agencies and jurisdictions find it difficult to meeting terms of constitutional and statutory limitations and economic potential. It is in the national interest, as well as the interest of the present and future needs of Oregon, for our citizens to be sufficiently well informed to cope not only with his individual needs but to prepare him as an intelligent citizen in our society. As the State librarian of Oregon, I am concerned with the total library needs of the State. The limitations of existing levels of library services in schools, public libraries, and colleges and universities are very well known to the State library as they make continuous and increasing demand for the materials which they cannot provide. The demand for service exists and assistance for today's needs cannot be postponed. One particular provision of H.R. 11823 deserves special mention-the title for training institutes. There is a national shortage of qualified library personnel which has been mentioned so often it is like the constant sound of a rushing mountain stream. Library services will not improve until more and better training opportunities are provided. Short courses offered in Oregon institutions would help supply some of the needed personnel to meet present staff shortages. Sincerely, ELOISE EBERT, State Librarian. LIBRARY EXTENSION DIVISION, Hon. CARL D. PERKINS, U.S. House of Representatives, DEAR MR. PERKINS: I thought you might be interested to know how the Library Services Act has influenced the attitude of the State government toward library and bookmobile service in Kentucky. I sincerely hope that you will place our testimonial in the Congressional Record as a part of the hearings on the Library Services Act. When the Library Services Act passed-in 1956-57, the State was providing only $176,000 annually for the extension of library and bookmobile service to Kentuckians. In 1960-61, however, the impact of the Library Service Act was beginning to be felt-to the extent that the State began to accept the responsibility for developing new regional library systems with State funds, and for bolstering already developing library regions with new, larger bookmobiles, more books for bookmobiles, and more State aid. Here are the figures: 1955-56 1960-61. 1961-62 State $176, 000 1962-63_ State appropriation $578, 000 613, 000 In 1960-61, the State provided $45,000 specifically to start the development of two new library regions. Funds for bookmobile books were increased from $60,000 to $100,000, and State aid was increased from $50,000 to $100,00. Funds for nine new bookmobiles were provided. In 1961-62, the State has provided $90,000 to help in the development of new and already established library regions. Increases for bookmobile books and State aid are being maintained, and funds for 15 new bookmobiles have been provided. In 1962-63, the State will provide $122,000 for help in developing one new library region, and already established library regions-funds to supplement the $205,000 from the Federal Government. Funds for bookmobile books will be increased, $17,000, State aid will be maintained at the increased level, and 15 new bookmobiles will be purchased. In 1963-64, the State will provide $154,000 for help in developing an additional library region and for maintaining already established regions-to supplement the static Federal grant of $205,000. Funds for bookmobile books and State aid will be maintained at the 1962-63 level, and an additional 15 new bookmobiles will be purchased. These increases are not sensational, but they are considerable when it is realized that the budgets of many State agencies in Kentucky are to be cut in 1962-64, due to an anticipated reduction in State revenue. One of the goals of Kentucky calls for a vote by the people in each county for a local tax for library and bookmobile service. Enabling legislation for such a vote was passed in 1960, and passage would have been impossible if counties had not begun to see for themselves, through partial improvement by funds from the Library Services Act, that more local support is needed. Because the tax base of most counties in Kentucky is low, a local tax is not the whole answer, however. Kentucky's planning calls for continued permanent development of at least 20 library regions with State funds, plus permanent helf from the Federal Government to the extent of 30 cents per capita. To reach the standards set by the American Library Association of annual support for libraries and bookmobiles to the extent of $3 per capita, it is estimated that the Federal Government needs to provide approximately $1 million annually, the State $2 million annually and the local governments $6 million annually. At present (1961-62) the Federal Government is providing $205,000 annually, the State $517,000, and local governments almost $2 million annually. Ten library regions, including 51 counties, are being developed at present. Ultimately a total of 20 library regions need to be developed-through the cooperative efforts of local, State, and Federal governments. Without permanent help from all three types of government, Kentucky will never reach the standards needed for effective, well-organized service for everyone in the State. One of the most wonderful results of participation in this program by the Federal Government is that formerly primitive libraries, run by donated funds, are now becoming legally established and well organized, with duly appointed library boards, and aided by help from trained State personnel. Kentucky still has a long, long way to go before library and bookmobile service can be said to be good, but it is now ready for sound improvement, which would have been impossible 5 years ago. It takes time for a sound legal base to be established for public library service. Use of improved library programs has increased sensationally, as evidenced by the increase of circulation from 2,874,000 in 1953-54, to 8,257,000 in 1960-61. Five counties voted for a local tax for library service in 1960 and 1961. Such a tax was unheard of previous to 1960. Six counties have voted for support of library and bookmobile programs within the county general fund-as a result of regional development. Ten counties will place the question on the ballot for a vote for an extra tax for library service in November 1962. The actual income from these votes, however, will still be low in many counties, due to their low tax base. A successful vote, however, will greatly improve the present program in all instances. There has been, and still is, a tremendous gap between what exists in library and bookmobile service and what is actually needed. Previous to the Library Services Act, counties themselves did not see the difference. They were quite satisfied with programs, if you can call them that, which were practically nonexistent. The outstanding attitude was one of lethargy, indfference, and selfsatisfaction. Only when these people have seen the difference between a dead or dying program and one which is now active, growing, exciting, and full of promise, do they begin to see the real potential ahead, which is intellectual and cultural aid and stimulation for all citizens of all ages in all areas. Most sincerely, MARGARET WILLIS. STATE OF NEW JERSEY, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, Trenton, June 1, 1962. Hon. FRANK THOMPSON, Jr., Member, Congress of the United States, DEAR FRANK: I am delighted to learn that Representative Bailey, of West Virginia, has introduced a bill (H.R. 11823) to broaden the Library Services Act by amending it to include other public libraries, public elementary and secondary school libraries, and certain college and university libraries. Inasmuch as you are a member of the important Education and Labor Com 88630-62-15 mittee, I hope that you will give your full support to this measure and that you will actually sponsor the measure by introducing a companion bill. Let me state my strong convictions about the need for this legislation. Ten years ago, when New Jersey librarians made a searching inquiry into the condition of the library economy, we decided to concentrate first on the obvious lacks in the public library field, rather than attempt to improve all types of libraries, including school and college libraries. A similar decision was made by the American Library Association when it sponsored the Library Services Act to improve service to rural areas. Looking back, we can see that these decisions were both right and wrong. Tremendous gains have been made through the Library Services Act's stimulation and the State-aid program in New Jersey has served as a further catalyst in improving local public library support and in equalizing services throughout the State. What we did not foresee, however, was what the tremendous demands of our educational program, plus the swelling population, would do to all librariespublic, school, and college. The pressures for reference and research materials at all levels, including the elementary grades, are increasing daily, and librarians who, not too many years ago, were looking for customers now find it increasingly difficult to cope with the enormous demands being made upon them. This is a subject that comes up whenever two or more librarians get together these days. Our own study of the problem here in New Jersey convinces me that a broadscale, nationwide attack on the problem is needed if library facilities are to be improved to a point where they can adequately support our total educational program at all levels of instruction. The Library Services Act has demonstrated the tremendous things that can be accomplished with relatively modest funds when a good program is welladministered by dedicated people. I predict the same kind of result from this expanded version of the Library Services Act and, therefore, I have no hesitancy in urging you to lend your sponsorship to this important measure. With all best personal wishes, I am, Sincerely, ROGER H. MCDONOUGH, Director. DANIEL BOONE REGIONAL LIBRARY, SERVING BOONE, CALLAWAY AND HOWARD COUNTIES, Hon. MORGAN M. MOULDER, Washington, D.C. DEAR MR. MOULDER: Thank you for sending us the copies of bills which we requested. We certainly appreciate your promptness in mailing these to us. We would also like to call to your attention House bill 11823, introduced on May 21 by Representative Cleveland Bailey, of West Virginia, and to House bill 11824, introduced the same day by Representative George P. Miller of California. It is our understanding that this proposed legislation is intended to provide a coordinated national program of library development, involving public libraries, elementary and secondary school libraries, and libraries of institutions of higher education, and the training of librarians necessary to staff such libraries, to meet the increased educational, informational, and research requirements of the people of the United States. We all recognize what the Library Services Act has meant to the people throughout the United States. We in Missouri have of course made great steps forward in public library service through the help of this program. It is most satisfying to find that local library support in Missouri has more than doubled during the past 10 years. On the other hand it is alarming to find that nationally 50 million persons still have inadequate or no library service at all, and that 10,600,000 children and young people go to public schools where there are not school libraries. Current figures show us that in Missouri 700,000 people have no local library service, and that libraries in Missouri schools now need 417,863 more books to be con sidered adequate. Ninety-three percent of the public schools in Missouri do not meet the standards for expenditure on books. These are a few of the figures which make us realize how much more must be done to bring to the people of our Nation the adequate library services which are so important to the continued progress of the Nation. Knowing that you have always been interested in libraries and have offered your support in the past, I am certain that you will want to stand behind this proposed legislation. Your sponsorship of similar legislation would certainly be important. Thank you again for your support to a program which we all recognize as vital to our country. Sincerely, (Mrs.) SUSANNA ALEXANDER, Regional Librarian. FLINT, MICH., July 6, 1962. Representative CLEVELAND BAILEY, Chairman, Subcommittee on Education of the House Education and Labor Committee, House Office Building, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C.: The Michigan Library Association wishes to go on record in strong support of the bill to amend the Library Services Act, H.R. 11823. This is legislation vital to the educational development of the American people. It is of the utmost significance not only here in Michigan but throughout the Nation. RANSOM L. RICHARDSON, President, Michigan Library Association. Hon. CLEVELAND BAILEY, GEORGIA CITIZENS LIBRARY COMMITTEE, Chairman, Subcommittee on Education, July 6, 1962. DEAR MR. BAILEY: As chairman of the Georgia Citizens Library Committee, an organization composed of all trustees and friends of the library, and as chairman of the Flint River Regional Library Board of Trustees, a multicounty regional library, I am writing you in the interest of H.R. 11823. We have already seen the multiple benefits provided by the Library Services Act in extending library services to an untold number of people in areas where heretofore there had been no availability of services; and, we feel that H.R. 11823 would present much greater opportunities since it also has included the school libraries, etc., as well as improving public library services. The library institute provisions would enable Georgia and all the States of our country to offer better opportunities in attracting and retaining more competent librarians which is a great need in this space age world in which events are moving at such speeds that it is difficult to keep our people informed. We, of the Georgia Citizens Library Committee, are relying on you, and the congressional representatives in our Congress, to see the values presented in H.R. 11823. We hope that you will report favorably for its passage. We would like to ask also that this letter be incorporated in the hearing on H.R. 11823. For better library service to all our people, I remain, Yours truly, JOHN E. CLOUSE, Jr., M.D., Chairman. Hon. CLEVELAND M. BAILEY, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. MOUNT ST. MARY'S COLLEGE, DEAR MR. BAILEY: It is with deep satisfaction that we read about the recent bill you introduced in the House of Representatives to provide assistance to school libraries. With the rising costs in all areas it is almost impossible for the unendowed school library to maintain a well-rounded book collection, to |