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Thus, until this year, the program has not been able to operate at the financial level envisioned, and meanwhile inflation has taken its toll. There have also been unforeseen demands on the program, resulting from the country's rude awakening to the dramatic tieup between education and survival.

These circumstances, and the fact that the program, while an unqualified success, has much yet to accomplish, argue for its continuation. I therefore commend to the favorable consideration of your committee, H.R. 9812 or one of the many similar bills before it.

Sincerely yours,

L. QUINCY MUMFORD,
Librarian of Congress.

AMERICAN COUNTRY LIFE ASSOCIATION, INC.,

April 7, 1960.

Hon. CARL ELLIOTT,

House of Representatives,

Washington, D.C.

DEAR MR. ELLIOTT: As president of the American Country Life Association, I appreciate the opportunity to file a statement in support of H.R. 9812, a bill to provide for the extension of the Library Services Act.

In order to identify the nature of the association's interest, I am submitting a leaflet which states the purposes of the organization, and a dittoed statement which gives somewhat fuller information. I call your attention especially to the historic relationship of the association to the work of the 1909 Theodore Roosevelt Country Life Commission, and to the caliber of people who gave leadership to the organization as typified by the list of presidents.

The association is so strongly convinced of the necessity of adequate library services for rural and other small communities that we do not regard it as an issue to be discussed. Not only do the citizens of our vast rural areas—children, youth, and adults-deserve the opportunities for cultural enrichment and enjoyment which ready access to good books provide; they also must have access to sources of information and enlightenment if they are to fulfill, in even an elementary way, the duties of good citizenship in this complex era.

I have had the opportunity to see the excellent programs being developed in one or two States under the Library Services Act. Since my work as assistant director of rural service for the National Education Association keeps me in contact with educational and lay leaders serving rural areas of the Nation, I know of many places where groundwork has been laid for the development of sound library programs. Many of these are at the stage where the continuation of the Library Services Act, with adequate financial resources, will ensure their full development. Without it, there will be long delay and, in some instances, inability to establish library service at all.

May I close with a bit of personal history? I grew up on a small farm typical of the Great Lakes area, and attended a one-teacher school. As such schools go, it had an acceptable library, but book-hungry children—and I was one of manysoon devoured everything that was within our interest and understanding and some that wasn't. Family libraries were necessarily limited, and there was nowhere else to turn. I wish I could report that no rural children in that area now need go book hungry, but this is not the case. I hope the continuation of the Library Services Act will finally bring to this, and the many other unserved rural areas of the Nation, the libraries they so earnestly want and need. Very sincerely yours,

LOIS M. CLARK, President.

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN,
Washington, D.C., April 12, 1960.

Hon. CARL ELLIOTT,

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

DEAR MR. ELLIOTT: Although the American Association of University Women is not taking the time of this subcommittee to present a witness during the hearings on extension of the Library Services Act, we cannot let go by, unobserved, the opportunity to speak in behalf of this very commendable program.

The record of accomplishment since the enactment of the act in 1956 is so notable that support for extension of this legislation seems hardly necessary. But as this subcommittee knows, appropriations for implementation of the act have consistently failed to match the authorization-and work originally contemplated remains to be undertaken. In addition, the association is firmly convinced the successes under this program extending library services to rural areas warrant its extension and expansion for another 5 years.

Therefore, we wish to say to this subcommittee that we sincerely hope it will recommend authorization of an appropriation of $7,500,000 a year for a 5-year period beginning July 1, 1961.

Sincerely yours,

Dr. MAYCIE K. SOUTHALL,

Chairman, Committee on Elementary and Secondary Education, AAUW.
Mrs. W. M. BAIN,

Chairman, Committee on Legislative Program, AAUW.

STATEMENT BY MRS. CARMA RUSSELL ZIMMERMAN, CALIFORNIA STATE LIBRARIAN My name is Mrs. Carma Russell Zimmerman. I am State librarian of California. I have been invited to testify but since it is not possible for me to be present, I am filing a statement for the record.

By means of the Library Services Act, the California State Library has been able to extend improved public library service to the people of California living in rural areas. During the 1957-58 fiscal year, the number of counties receiving improved or extended service as the result of the Federal funds was 5 and the number of people in these counties to whom improved or extended service was made available was 189,045, as reported in September 1958. In 1958-59 the number of California counties with improved or extended service had risen to 19, and the number of people in these counties to whom improved or extended service was made available had risen to 472,319. The number is continuing to rise in the subsequent fiscal years. A recent survey of the counties in California receiving improved library service under the Library Services Act shows the number now to be 38.

The following types of library service have been provided under the Library Services Act in California :

Bookmobiles

Demonstration bookmobiles have been operated in two counties. In one county the bookmobile has been accepted and is now operated completely at local expense. In the other county, the determination will be made before June 30, 1961, the end of the present Library Services Act. Rural areas served by these two bookmobiles have received enriched library service through these demonstrations. They will continue to receive this service through the local operation of the bookmobiles on a permanent basis after the demonstration has been completed.

These bookmobiles are filled with the best of children's and adults' books to serve the people in outlying regions. They are staffed with professionally trained librarians who know the needs of the people and how to serve them most effectively and efficiently. The bookmobiles provide existing library units in the county with new and attractive books to supplement their present collections. Another small bookmobile purchased with Library Services Act funds has been exhibited by the State library at many county fairs in the State to show the type of library service that a bookmobile can provide. This program is continuing, with good effects and a growing local interest.

Enrichment of library services through a processing center

Sixteen northern California libraries participating in a processing center at the California State Library are providing improved service to readers in the time released from the cataloging and processing operation. Significant among these enriched services are services such as: better reference service; development of a public relations program, improved services to children by means of a children's reading program, story hours, more careful and better book selection; development of services in art, poetry, and music; more visits to the branch and station libraries in the rural areas.

Improved library service to a county through contract

By means of contract implemented with Library Services Act funds, Amador County, having inadequate library service, contracted with the Stockton Public Library for improved library service. The contract has now been accepted by both participating libraries and is financed wholly by augmented local funds. By means of this plan, the residents of Amador County have the services of a professionally trained librarian. The Amador staff participates in and benefits from the book selection meetings held at the Stockton Public Library. This results in well-selected new books for the Amador County Library. The people of Amador County now have access not only to the reference facilities of the Amador County Library but also those of the Stockton Public Library.

Extended State library consultant service

Through the funds made available by the Library Services Act, the California State Library has been able to employ three additional consultants on its field staff as well as additional clerical staff. The availability of consultants is vital to improved library service in rural areas as they can assist the present librarians in those areas with professional library guidance and technical assistance in library management.

Regional library center

A pilot regional library center was developed in Santa Barbara County and improved reference and informational services were established. Residents of Santa Barbara were reached by this improved service by means of the radio, television, newspapers, professional staff, and new books and magazines. Librarian for two or more counties

Lassen and Plumas-Sierra Counties now jointly employ one librarian to serve both counties. This plan was implemented by means of Federal funds. The residents in these rural counties now have the services of a professionally trained librarian with the excellent experience background, new books, magazines and records, and improved reference service. The plan has now become permanently established in these counties.

Quality reference service

Reference service of speed and quality formerly impossible in rural areas is available to the majority of the city and county libraries in the San Joaquin Valley from the Fresno County Library. Additional libraries in the valley may participate later. This is being accomplished through the services of a library consultant who is directing the project, professionally trained reference librarians who have been employed for the project, an improved reference collection which is more extensive than the Fresno County Library previously provided, improved basic collections in the branch libraries in the area, and improved telephone communication to allow for speed of transmission of reference questions and their answers.

Scholarships

Three scholarships for beginning librarians and one research fellowship have been established. Rural areas find it difficult to recruit librarians to serve in their libraries. Through these scholarships and the one fellowship, the California State Library will recruit for these libraries before the prospective librarians enter library school. At the end of their courses, they will be prepared to accept positions in libraries in rural areas. Each recipient must agree to work for a 2-year period in a libary serving a rural area before the funds are made available to the student.

Cooperative library system

A cooperative system consisting of approximately 20 libraries in four North Bay Counties is being established. Through this cooperation, improved central cataloging and processing will be accomplished more efficiently and effectively; reference services will be improved and extended; the resources of all libraries will be available to all in the system; films will be an additional resource; reference service will be speeded up through a teletype system linking all libraries in the system with each other and with the State library; the service to children will be improved and extended and a children's librarian will

be provided; the libraries will work together in their buying of books and will duplicate collections only when necessary for the local demand.

Unserved areas

PRESENT UNMET NEEDS IN CALIFORNIA

The recent survey by the California Public Library Commission reports that 86,578 people in California are totally unserved.

Inadequately served areas

A far larger number is inadequately served. Our estimate of the number of people inadequately served in 1958 was 8,193,836.

Volumes per capita

The number of volumes per capita in the public libraries in California has dropped from 1.9 in 1940-41 to 1.3 in 1956-57. This is only the number of volumes-the quality varies considerably and many of these counted should be discarded. The California Public Library Commission report states that in California in 1956-57 the patrons of most of the libraries in the State had access through their local libraries to only a small part, probably less than 20 percent, of the new trade books issued in that year.

Only 20 percent of California public libraries own or share in the ownership of films. Only 11.3 percent have record collections. A survey of periodical index holdings showed great weakness in this field in California public libraries. Only 22 of California's 57 counties with rural population have bookmobiles of any kind. Of these only a few have more than one vehicle and many of the bookmobiles are antiquated, converted trucks rather than modern libraries on wheels.

Why California needs an extension of the Library Services Act

Since 1956 when the Library Services Act was passed California has been able only to begin the overwhelming task of bringing library service to rural areas and to improve the service that is now in existence. The planning and the carrying out of the projects has taken much of the 4 years, so that more time is needed really to accomplish substantial progress in the rural areas, and carry out plans already carefully made. Specifically, the following would happen in California if the Library Services Act were not continued:

The reference project in the San Joaquin Valley which is just beginning would come to an end before the full demonstration period. To demonstrate successfully the value of this reference project, a full 3 years is needed.

The North Bay cooperative system, the four counties with 20 libraries now launching into cooperation, would not be able to be carried out, a meaningful demonstration. They would only be able to begin with the demonstration when it would have to cease.

Two California counties without countywide library service, Mendocino and Del Norte, are just now ready to receive demonstration projects or will be next year. Without an extension of the Library Services Act, the California State Library will not be able to provide this demonstration in the two counties.

The scholarship program would come to an end after only 1 year unless there is an extension of the act. This program is vitally needed in California in order that we can recruit librarians for libraries in rural areas. These areas are badly in need of professionally trained librarians.

A demonstation of high-quality young people's service is much needed in California. With an extension of the Library Services Act, the California State Library will be able to provide this demonstration project, as we now have already in our Federal program, a highly qualified library consultant who can plan and carry out a successful demonstration of young people's service.

The four-county system chosen to begin this year was selected from among several possible library systems, any one of which would be a good, workable library system. With an extension of the act, other library systems in rural areas could be developed to provide improved library service.

California librarians, library trustees and other citizens of the State are very grateful for the improved rural library services which have been made possible through the Library Services Act. Much still remains to be done. We are hopeful, therefore, that the Library Services Act will be extended for another 5 years.

I appreciate very much the privilege for filing this statement with the special bommittee.

MARCH 22, 1960.

Hon. LAURENCE CURTIS,

House Office Building, Washington, D.C.

DEAR CONGRESSMAN CURTIS: I am writing to you concerning H.R. 9812, a bill to extend the Library Services Act, to register the interest of the Massachusetts Library Association in this legislation.

The Library Services Act has made possible in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts the establishment of a State regional library center in the northeastern part of the State with personnel, books, a bookmobile, and quarters. This had been a rural area with distinctly inadequate library service. In addition the services of the three regional library centers previously established by the State on a limited basis have been expanded, an audiovisual center setup, training programs established and surveys of 42 public libraries have been made. These important activities have come about only because of the grant made to the State under the act.

The association will be appreciative of your support of this bill which it considers essential to the development of libraries and library service and thus to the development of the citizens of the Commonwealth.

Yours sincerely,

Dr. MILTON E. LORD,

Federal Relations Coordinator, Massachusetts Library Association.

MARCH 29, 1960.

Hon. CARL ELLIOTT,
Chairman, Special Education Subcommittee, House Education and Labor
Committee, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C.

DEAR MR. ELLIOTT: On behalf of the Pennsylvania Library Association may I urge you to support H.R. 9812 and related bills to extend the Library Services Act for 5 years after 1961?

As you no doubt realize many States have started programs under the Library Services Act which need more stimulus to get them on a firm basis. Pennsylvania is a case in point and may I briefly remind you of our needs? Due primarily to the fact that we were without a State librarian at the time, Pennsylvania did not participate during the first year of the Library Services Act. Since then there has been a vigorous program of action. A thorough survey of present library services has been made and a plan for future development drawn up. Proposed legislation was submitted to the 1959 legislature, but it died in committee. It is hoped that this plan will be acted upon favorably in 1961 and then Federal aid would do much to get the program under way.

This is just one example of how an extension of the Library Services Act would aid libraries which are probably the greatest facility for adult education in our country today. Your support will be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely yours,

VIVIAN L. DRAKE, Chairman, Subcommittee on Federal Relations, Library Development Committee, Pennsylvania Library Association.

STATEMENT BY MRS. JULIA BENNETT ARMISTEAD

Before my marriage in 1957, I was director of the Washington office of the American Library Association. I held this position at the time the Library Services Act was passed in 1956 and for 4 years previous to that time. My involvement in library activities continues. I have followed the developments under the Library Services Act with avid interest. I am pleased to accept the invitation of the chairman of the Subcommittee on Special Education to express my opinion on the desirability of extending the Library Services Act for an additional 5-year period.

In the 31⁄2 years since its passage, the Library Services Act has done more to bring books to people living in rural areas than any other single occurrence in public library history. At the time of its passage in 1956, there were approximately 26 million Americans in rural areas who did not have access to any local public library service and about 50 million others who only received very inadequate service. Much progress in bringing books to these people has been

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