(The following statements and letters were submitted for the record :)

STATEMENT BY LEROY ANDERSON, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF MONTANA

Mr. Chairman, I believe it is of the utmost importance, not only to the people of Montana, but to the Nation as a whole, to extend the Library Services Act for a period of 5 years, as provided in H.R. 9812 (Elliott of Alabama). If the act is allowed to expire in 1961, the work contemplated under this act will not have been completed, and the goals planned under the act for the development of State and local rural library services will not have been reached in that time, primarily because the amount appropriated for the program has been substantially less than the amount authorized by Congress.

This extension will permit Montana to consolidate the gains it has made and to develop additional cooperative programs, similar to those now in effect, in many areas of the State still not reached.

The program provided for in this legislation has accomplished much to assist our people in small towns and rural areas. Thirty million rural people now have new or improved public library services available to them as a result of this cooperative State-local-Federal program. Another significant fact is that State appropriations for public library service to rural areas have increased 54 percent since 1956, when the act was first adopted.

Montana has been using the full Federal allotment available to it, a total of $235,195 through fiscal 1960, which indicates the wholehearted support of the program by the people of my State. In 1959, the Federal allotment was $72,427, and State funds totaled $66,642.

There were 149,926 people in 13 counties receiving improved or extended service as of the end of 1959. In the planning stage are library federations which will cover 18 additional counties if the act is extended. In one Federation now participating in the program, book circulation went from 378,357 in 1958 to 425,668 in 1959. In one small community alone circulation jumped from 17,629 books in 1958 to 29,648 in 1959.

Of the greatest importance to remote areas are the bookmobiles. By the end of 1959, the 2 bookmobile units not operating in my State had reached 99 communities, circulating a total of 85,356 books.

In spite of the tremendous gains made in the extension of library services where they did not exist in the past, there is a great need for the extension of this legislation. By the end of 1961, when the present law expires, there will still be millions of rural children and adults who have not had the opportunity to benefit from library demonstration or development programs provided for under the act. It is estimated that only half of the job will be done, that at least 40 million rural residents will still have no public library service, or inadequate service, and that 150 rural counties will still have no public library service within their borders.

Many of our rural and even remote communities have been given a longoverdue opportunity to find out what a public library, with or without wheels, can mean to them. The tradition of the public library as a "university of the people" is deeply rooted in our American heritage. The public library is a significant force in the educational, social and cultural life of the community. It is a source of knowledge of many kinds, giving the people in those communities the opportunity to become a more informed citizenry. The importance of this kind of self-education in a democratic society can never be overemphasized. Mr. Chairman, I join many of my friends and colleagues in strongly urging that the extension of the Library Services Act be promptly approved. Thank you.

Hon. CARL ELLIOTT,

Chairman, Committee on Special Education.

APRIL 8, 1960.

DEAR CHAIRMAN: I wish to make known to the members of your committee, my interest in and support of the proposed legislation (H.R. 9812) to extend for 5 years the Library Services Act of 1956.

Books are of value only insofar as they are available to be read and all citizens should have the opportunity to enjoy the enrichment that reading can provide for them. The library services program has made a very real con

tribution to cultural life of the rural residents of the State of Colorado and I am sure it has been of equal value in other States.

I am certainly hopeful that the committee will give this worthwhile measure prompt and favorable consideration.

Sincerely yours,

BYRON L. JOHNSON,
Member of Congress.

STATEMENT BY HON. MORGAN M. MOULDER, A RERESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF MISSOURI

All Members of Congress are familiar with the inadequacy of public library facilities to meet the need of elementary and high school students for material on the problems that face our Nation and the entire world today. Not a day goes by that we do not receive a request for information on subjects ranging from the Constitution to what countries make up the Middle East. We are also familiar with requests for information on control of insects, how to secure a patent, or interior decorating.

Our public libraries serve a most important role in the field of education. Yet, even though under the Library Services Act we have seen tremendous expansion of service to rural areas, there is still much to be done before all our rural communities have adequate library service.

In my own State of Missouri, the Library Services Act has been responsible for the establishment of 17 countywide libraries where none existed before. Of these libraries, 16 will be organized into regional (multicounty) size units. Two new regional libraries have been formed from old existing single county libraries; more native professional librarians are on duty; a cooperative purchasing, cataloging, and processing center will be serving from 10 to 15 independent libraries; a survey and redesigned plan or growth and development of all public library service in the State; and a strengthened State library in personnel, equipment, and library resources to equip it for better service to the public at large.

If Congress does not extend the act beyond June 30, 1961, the rate of development of new regional systems would be cut by one-half or even three-fourths. In Missouri, there are still 600,000 people with no library service and 2 million have inadequate service. Some 300,000 books, films, and other materials, five bookmobiles, and additional staff are needed to complete the program in my State. I am sure that much also remains to be done in other States to provide adequate and effective public library service. If we do not extend the act, the States would lose the advantage built to date of momentum in spirit for upgrading and improvement of service. They would not be in a position to complete the program and local projects generated by the new revitalized strength of the State agency.

STATEMENT OF CHESTER E. MERROW, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

Mr. Chairman, I am indeed grateful to the subcommittee for this opportunity to discuss my proposal (H.R. 10888) to extend the fine program now operating under the Library Services Act of 1956. Most important, the bill which I have introduced (March 3, 1960) would extend for 5 years the authorization for appropriations under this act. It also would make certain other changes to insure the equitable distribution of Federal library services funds among the States and territories and to make adequate provision for Alaska and Hawaii. As the subcommittee knows, this week marks the third annual celebration of National Library Week (April 3-9). Currently about 5,000 American communities, rural and urban centers alike, are cooperating in a citizens' movement to broaden local library programs, increase local participation, and to reemphasize the role of books and libraries as sources of continuing self-education and profitable recreation. I believe that the achievements sparked by the assistance of the Federal library services program now provide a special reason for celebrating this occasion in many communities.

Yet some serious deficiencies continue to exist. People in dozens of counties throughout the Nation still have no public library within their respective borders. Others have only services which are, by any reasonable standards,

totally inadequate. True, with the assistance of Federal funds and substantially increased State and local funds, new or improved library services have become available to some 30 million rural residents. But what of the approximately 75 million 1 other rural children and adults still unserved?

Mr. Chairman, the subcommittee already knows the statistical evidence of what has already been accomplished under the Library Services Act as well as of the needs which continue to exist. Those of us who sponsored and supported the passage of that act in 1956 recognized that the full annual appro priation of $7.5 million might be necessary to achieve the goals envisioned at that time. Today we are convinced of it.

And yet the total funds appropriated through the current fiscal year ($19,050,000 through fiscal 1960) have fallen far short of the amount actually authorized for this 4-year period-$30 million. In fact, in terms of actual amounts appropriated by the Federal Government, we are already fully one-third behind. Representatives of the American Library Association and other qualified witnesses, who have recently testified on public library needs, as well as librarians in the States support the belief that although what has already been done is extremely praiseworthy, it is clearly not enough.

Of course, I do not wish to overlook the fine progress made in the States and localities. In terms of money alone, we are informed that State appropriations for rural public library services have increased 54 percent since 1956 and that local appropriations are up a full 45 percent.

My own State of New Hampshire, for example, has increased its total library expenditures from about $755,746 in 1955, the year before the Federal program was enacted, to approximately $940,731 for the 1958 calendar year. Moreover, per capita library expenditures in New Hampshire have grown from an estimated average $1.35 in 1955 to an average of about $1.61 for 1958—an increase of almost 20 percent.

The concrete results of this statewide effort with the stimulus provided by Federal assistance are already evident throughout New Hampshire. For just the first 3 years of the program, for example, the following progress has been reported:

"A new branch of the State library has been established and other branches strengthened. Four new bookmobiles have been assigned to State branches, 2 field consultants added to the State staff, and 80 workshops held. At the State library, 15-percent increase in book stock increased interlibrary loans 47 percent. A unique statewide public relations program by a professional firm has increased library awareness and local library support substantially."

I might also add that the New Hampshire State Library spent nearly $10,000 of its 1958 Federal funds to improve the public relations of its rural libraries. Another direct result of Library Services Act funds were custom-made "Moroney" bookmobiles, trucks which can carry over twice the number of books formerly available in panel trucks.

Also, in two cooperative interstate projects for more efficient, effective, and economical library services, New Hampshire has joined with Vermont in the publication of "North Country Libraries," a joint bulletin of the two State library agencies; and with both Vermont and Maine in a tri-State film circulation project. In New England, we have found such cooperative ventures very successful because of our relatively small size and geographical proximity. Today only some 4,000 residents of New Hampshire live in rural communities which have no locally organized book services. In fact, of all our over 200 libraries, all except 10 are in areas of fewer than 10,000 inhabitants. According to Mildred McKay, the New Hampshire State Librarian, our State now has a public library at almost every crossroad. This fact, I believe, reflects the sig

1 Germaine Kretteck, director of the Washington office of the American Library Association, told a subcommittee of the Senate Committee on Appropriations last year that reports from the States showed that there were some 25 million Americans in rural areas with 10,000 population or less who were without any public library service and another approximately 50 million with only substandard services available.

2 Source: New Hampshire State Library. Annual reports for 1955-58 entitled "Library Statistics."

3 Source: Excerpt from article in American Library Association Bulletin (January 1960), prepared by John G. Lorenze, Director, Library Services Branch, U.S. Office of Education.

nificance our citizens attach to making good books available to all. However, such progress has only diminished but certainly has not eliminated the library needs which continue to exist. For example, our State librarian has also reported that:

"Many (libraries) give excellent service, while others, it must be admitted, are "frail" either in books, or support, staff, or all categories. No less than 127 libraries spent less than $1 per capita for library service in 1957. In the majority of cases, local libraries are not open every day, nor are the librarians professionally trained."

Mr. Chairman, New Hampshire is only one of many States whose people are seriously handicapped by such public library inadequacies. Surely then, this is not the time to discontinue the Federal contribution to the current State-localFederal rural library services program. Four years ago the act which we now seek to extend had bipartisan enthusiasm. Since that time, as a nation, we have grown to realize even more keenly the value of promoting a more vigorous and enriched intellectual life for all our people. I trust that this proposed extension of the Library Services Act will receive the same kind of bipartisan and enthusiastic support in this session so that our States and local communities will be able to insure the best possible public library service for every citizen of this democratic Nation no matter where he lives. Again, I thank the subcommittee for the opportunity to present this statement.

STATEMENT OF HON. CLEM MILLER, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

I wish to urge most emphatically the extension of the excellent and essential library services program, through extension of the act which would be accomplished by enactment of the measure pending before this committee, specifically, H.R. 9812.

This program has been of inestimable value to my district, largely rural in character. As an example, Del Norte County, the northernmost in the district (and furthest from the metropolitan area of San Francisco) now has no county library. Library services consultants are assisting with the establishment of such a library, as well as filling in, meanwhile, with visits of the exhibit bookmobile, for the use of the country people and the inhabitants of the very small towns in that county. For another example, in Marin County, the library units are members of the North Bay Cooperative Library System project-a fourcounty system in which county and city libraries cooperate to share resources and services-under the guidance of the library services consultants. In Mendocino County, four visits of the exhibit bookmobile have been arranged and extensive and continuing work on the part of library services personnel is assisting with the establishment of a county library, which this sprawling, largely rural county does not now possess. In all except one of my seven-county district, these and other forms of material assistance have been rendered by library services, and with the coming into operation of the North Bay Cooperative System, the entire district will benefit from the program.

I cannot emphasize too strongly the need of programs of this sort to increase the opportunity and interest in reading in this day and age of TV. The art of reading is by way of becoming a lost art in this age-many young people prefer to have their classics spoon-fed to them in pictures.

Libraries must have this support if they are to survive. Local communities have increased their taxes drastically, but still fall behind in necessary services. Sources of revenue are not keeping pace with the explosion in need. Library service has been one of the first to suffer in this pressure for local funds. For these reasons, I join in urging early and favorable action on the extension proposal before you. I know of few programs I can more enthusiastically endorse as a useful and essential expenditure of Federal funds.

McKay, Mildred P. A public information program. Wilson library bulletin, vol. 33, May 1959: 675.

STATEMENT OF HON. FRANK THOMPSON, JR., A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY

It seems eminently fitting that hearings on the proposed legislation to extend the Library Services Act should be held this week which has been designated as National Library Week. At this time when all of our citizens are being reminded of the importance of books and reading it is appropriate that we forward legislation which will help to bring public library service to the approximately 22 millions of men, women, and children who live in the rural areas of this great country and are without the educational benefits of public library service. As one of the sponsors of the original act passed by the Congress in 1956, I have watched with keen interest and enthusiasm the achievements to date in my own State, as well as in the other States and territories currently participating in programs under the law.

It is my considered opinion that the relatively small amount of Federal money invested in this important educational program has been well spent. All of the States, with one exception, have formulated plans for the development of library service in terms of the specific needs of the individual State; have met the matching requirements; and participated in the Federal grants. Through these programs library service has been brought to millions of people in rural areas for the first time and library service to other millions has been materially improved.

In my own State of New Jersey, the use of Federal funds has strengthened our State library extension service in terms of books and other library materials and personnel. It has contributed greatly to the progress of local libraries and has created a climate for further improvement, the development of larger units, and a broader scope of library services. The termination of funds which made such progress possible would greatly curtail and would diminish the stature of the State library extension agency's program.

A demonstration center has been established in that part of the State which most clearly lacked public library facilities. The Tri-County Library Services Center with headquarters in Bridgeton completed its first full calendar year of service on December 31, 1959. In 12 months more than 95,000 volumes and 140 framed paintings were borrowed from the bookmobile which serves people who do not have other access to a free public library and which visits 11 communities in each county every 2 weeks.

Some of the comments made by grateful patrons are heart warming. For example, these were included in a recent report from the regional librarian in charge of the Tri-County Library Services Center:

"Many thanks for the loan of the lovely painting, the Washer Woman by Renoir, which my family and I enjoyed very much. I know you have only a limited number of these paintings and I do hope that in the near future more will become available so that other folks may borrow and also enjoy them.

"May I add that your bookmobile is doing a wonderful job and it is a pleasure to know we can obtain the very latest up-to-date books.

"Thank you so much for the loan of Moulin de la Galette. It is the sort of picture that seems like company in your house. I hope I can borrow some of the other types so that I will know what to buy eventually."

Considerable progress has been made but it is doubtful that this demonstration can be fully established as an independent regional system by June 1961. It is my belief that with an extension of the act this can be achieved. New Jersey has adopted a State library aid program which will begin July 1, 1960. The Library Services Act program undoubtedly contributed significantly toward creating the climate necessary for the enactment of this State-aid program. Under this partnership of local, State, and Federal aid it is anticipated that great strides can be taken in the next few years toward bringing adequate library service to all the citizens of New Jersey.

With this in mind I have introduced in this Congress my bill, H.R. 11154 to amend the Library Services Act in order to extend for 5 years the authorization for appropriations. I urge its favorable consideration by this subcommittee.