Now, speaking facetiously, and off the record (Discussion off the record.) Mr. ELLIOTT. Thank you very much, Congressman Oliver. Mr. ELLIOTT. Our next witness this morning is the Honorable Silvio O. Conte, a Member of Congress from Massachuetts' First Congressional District. Mr. Conte is also a sponsor of this legislation, having introduced H.R. 10535. Mr. Conte, we are very happy to have you and you may proceed in any manner you desire. STATEMENT OF HON. SILVIO O. CONTE, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS Mr. CONTE. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. At the outset let me express my gratitude and appreciation to you and your subcommittee for this opportunity to appear before you this morning in behalf of my bill and the other bills which have been filed for the extension of the Library Services Act. It certainly gives me great pleasure indeed to be associated with Congressman Bailey of West Virginia, especially as a freshman Congressman to be associated with such a distinguished gentleman from the great State of West Virginia. Mr. ELLIOTT. Let me interrupt you right there to say that I share those sentiments with you wholly and completely. I have had the privilege of being associated with Cleveland M. Bailey now for a dozen years and my affection for him and the esteem in which I hold him and the help which I get from his wisdom and good judgment has grown in each of those years. I would like to say that at this point in behalf of my friend here, Congressman Bailey. Mr. BAILEY. May I interrupt to say "Thanks." Mr. CONTE. Well, it is my fervent hope that I can be able to tear a page out of his book. Let us put it that way. Mr. Chairman, members of the committee, it is with pleasure and firm convictions that I appear today to testify on behalf of this important bill which I have introduced-H.R. 10535. I know we all agree to the great importance of books. Therefore, it must be accepted as axiomatic that books constitute the most essential tools for knowledge and, also, make a positive contribution to pleasure and relaxation. Their importance cannot be overemphasized. All one has to do is to note the very positive policies totalitarian governments have toward books to realize their intrinsic worth. Their writing, printing, and distribution are rigidly controlled for the reason that the state dictates what is to be read. Conversely, in a free nation, an inherent part of the basic freedoms allows people the right of unrestricted access to books of their own choice. More important, the subject matter is not determined by the state. Therefore, it would be an act of grave omission when we compare the policies of the totalitarian to that of a free nation on the matter of books, that people in our free society might not be able to read, not mind you, by reason of police control but because funds are not available for libraries. While it is true that America has some of the largest and finest libraries in the world, it is also a fact that in many areas library facilities are inadequate or nonexistent. Is it not true, that in a free society such as ours, that all should have this important facility? The bookmobile program, for example, a result of the Library Services Act, fills this need. I believe that the worth of books is beyond question. Therefore, it is unnecessary to belabor the point before this distinguished committee. More specifically, I can testify to its benefits in my particular State and district, although since I introduced this bill, I have received complimentary letters from many other States reflecting the serious national need of this program. First, I have here, Mr. Chairman, some items I desire to include in the record, with your permission. One is a letter from Miss Barbara Morey, regional bookmobile librarian from Pittsfield in my district. I think it self-explanatory. The other is an editorial from the Greenfield Recorder-Gazette of February 26, 1960, entitled "Library Service." It is a well-reasoned editorial which, I feel, expresses forcefully and adequately the needs and benefits for a continued library program. Mr. Chairman, with your permission, I would like to submit both of these items for the record. Mr. ELLIOTT. Without objection, the items will be made a part of the record at this point. (The matters referred to follow :) THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, Representative SILVIO O. CONTE, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. DEAR SIR: We thank you once more for your sincere and continued support of better library service for Massachusetts. The Federal funds allotted to our region have boosted our inadequate book collection. Additional Federal money is essential to help us meet the demands made upon the regional library center by the people of far western Massachusetts. I hope your bill will do the trick. Respectfully yours, BARBARA MOREY, Regional Bookmobile Librarian. [Editorial from the Greenfield (Mass.) Recorder-Gazette] LIBRARY SERVICE Books, despite the revolutionary aspects of ordinary life, still represent an important part of today's education, entertainment, relaxation and information. We have been reminded of it this week. Books were the subjects of two public announcements. A Greenfield man called upon the State legislative committee on ways and means to restore $53,579 of the $126,425 cut originally from the department of education's budget for library services. And at home the public library was closed today for the first time in its history for inventory purposes. About 20,000 of more than 80,000 books on the shelves were to be checked. Thus it can be seen that books are still with us both in numbers and influence. We have not yet succumbed entirely to the lure of sports, motoring, motion pictures, or television. It may seem at times that there's never a moment to sit to read, but any such supposition must be reconsidered. There is, for instance, a great deal of importance attached to traveling bookmobile services maintained by public funds. Bete, chairman of the State board of library commissioners, suggests that a great portion of the restored $53,579 be used to conduct the Northeast Library Service Center program in force for 3 years. This Sate is a pioneer in aiding small libraries through such programs as bookmobiles. With institution of the Federal aid program 4 years ago the State began using Federal funds to expand operations into other areas of Massachusetts. With restoration of these funds the State would take over the northeast program to free Federal funds for use in establishing another in Worcester County for the benefit of about 30 small communities. Book traffic has been breaking records in all areas of the country to the surprise of those who have feared a lessening of interest in the printed word. There are several reasons. The most obvious, perhaps, is that the Nation's population is exploding and thus creates a demand for more of everything. It is just as important that we have more and better library service as it is that food and clothing be available to all. Books nourish and sustain the mind, body, and soul. Bookmobiles gain in importance, too, as the population pushes outward away from urban centers. Despite the convenience and multiplicity of modern transport facilities there are millions of young and old who cannot make trips conveniently to central libraries. This is especially true in rural regions like our own. Bookmobiles have filled a growing and vital demand for library service. In the interest of American progress it is imperative that legislators and commissions give library requests the benefit of thoughtful study and that the utmost in assistance be made available by these and all others who have the means to do so. Mr. CONTE. In the State of Massachusetts, 178 of the 263 rural communities received increased appropriations; 43 increased hours of opening and 103 increased librarian salaries. In rural areas, circulation rose 13 percent. The improved library service now reaches 279 towns, and the population to whom this service is available numbers 1,055,191. About 30 towns in western Massachusetts are getting supplementary books via bookmobile which goes to public libraries, deposit stations, and schools. The bookmobile operates from the Pittsfield regional center under the direction of Miss Barbara Morey, whose letter I placed in the record. In cooperation with the office of audiovisual aids of the education department, an audiovisual aids center has been established in Greenfield. This service is available to all four counties of western Massachusetts. Funds have also been allocated for a record collection. Of the amount of money expended in the fiscal years 1957, 1958, 1959, $454,485, the State of Massachusetts contributed $266,314, and the Federal Government $188,171. Of course, the cost of books and services have increased since the act was first implemented. However, the program must continue, for the great good that will come from it cannot be computed only in terms of money. I feel, therefore, that the need must be met-even though there are problems because of rising costs. The Federal money made available coupled with State funds, will allow this program to continue its benefits. I respectfully trust that this committee will consider with favor, H.R. 10535. I also pledge to the committee, as a freshman member of the Committee on Appropriations, that I shall do all in my power to see that the funds are appropriated if your committee in its wisdom sees fit to pass this authorization bill. Mr. ELLIOTT. Thank you very much, Mr. Conte. May I say that the closing expression was very comforting to the members of the subcommittee and others who are interested in this legislation. The gentleman from Connecticut is recognized. Mr. GIAIMO. I want to thank my colleague, Mr. Conte, from the neighboring State of Massachusetts, for his presentation and for his support and for his real interest in the program. I think it is a worthwhile program, and I know that you feel as I do. Certainly your assistance on the Appropriations Committee is most important, because without the money, we can do nothing. It is a pleasure to have you here with us. Mr. CONTE. Thank you, Mr. Giaimo. It is a pleasure to appear before you. I know that with your assistance and help we will be successful in this program. Mr. ELLIOTT. Thank you, Mr. Conte. The subcommittee has statements from the Honorable T. A. Thompson, a Member of Congress from the State of Louisiana, the Honorable Dante B. Fascell, a Member of Congress from the State of Florida, and the Honorable Al Ullman, a Member of Congress from the State of Oregon, supporting this legislation, and without objection, the three statements will be made a part of the record in the order I listed them at this point. (The statements referred to follow :) STATEMENT OF HON. T. A. THOMPSON, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF LOUISIANA Mr. Chairman, I appreciate being given the opportunity to appear here in support of my bill, H.R. 10623, to extend the Library Services Act for a period of 5 years. With the funds made available to the State of Louisiana under the Library Services Act, it has been possible to open libraries in 10 parishes which heretofore did not have any library service, and to bring books and reading material to more than 150,000 persons unserved by public libraries. An extension of Library Services Act should make it possible to bring public library service to the entire population of Louisiana. This work has been received with great interest and appreciation throughout our State and it has been shown time after time that, after a successful 1-year demonstration of library service, local taxpayers are willing to vote continuing support for their public libraries. I have received a letter which I would like to have included as a part of the record of these hearings. This letter, unsolicited, was sent to me merely to express gratitude for the Federal funds which made possible the establishment of this library service. It comes from the Cameron Parish Library Board in the little town of Cameron, La., the greater portion of which was demolished by Hurricane Audrey in 1957. Even though each penny counts in their heroic efforts to rebuild, the library demonstration project has been so overwhelmingly received that the property owners went to the polls only a few days ago and voted a special library tax in order to continue this library service. I am sure that this experience has been duplicated many times in all parts of our Nation, and I sincerely hope that favorable action may be taken on the proposal to extend the Library Services Act. Hon. T. A. THOMPSON, House Office Building, Washington, D.C. LOUISIANA STATE LIBRARY, DEAR MR. THOMPSON: Speaking for the library board of control of the Cameron Parish library demonstration, I should like to acknowledge with gratitude Federal funds used so effectively, we think, in bringing permanent library service to Cameron. After using the sample library placed in the parish for the past 20 months, financed entirely by Federal and State funds, under the statewide library development plan of the Louisiana State Library-property holders of Cameron Parish went to the polls last week and voted overwhelmingly to continue their library. We are very proud of this record vote for a public library, and in a parish to which Hurricane Audrey brought widespread devastation less than 3 years ago. Voters supported enthusiastically a two-mill special library tax, which will yield the library an annual income of $28,000 or more for the next 10 years. The vote for the tax carried by more than 4 to 1 in number (395 votes for, 83 against) and more than 5 to 1 in property assessment ($667,269 for, $130,404 against). And this in Louisiana's smallest parish, with an estimated population of little more than 5,000 people. We believe people will read books if books are given to them in plenty. Cameron people read 68,000 books since the library opened on June 27, 1958; and more than 2,000 of them are registered library users. We believe that people will support libraries from local funds, once the joys and benefits coming from reading are demonstrated to them. So, thank you for your support which helped to make possible the financing of a successful library demonstration in Cameron Parish. Sincerely, Mrs. CHARLES W. HEBERT, President, Library Board. Members of the Board. STATEMENT OF HON. DANTE B. FASCELL, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF FLORIDA Mr. Chairman, members of the committee, it is with pelasure and gratitude that I appear before you today to offer what support I can for H.R. 10420 and other bills calling for extension of the Library Services Act of 1956. I am appreciative. Mr. Chairman, of this opportunity. In my opinion there are few greater services performed by a Government than those services which seek to assist in the intellectual enlightenment of the people. I think we must all agree that the Library Services Act is a significant contribution to the elevation of our national intellectual level. One of the great debates in the United States today revolves about the question of methods through which our citizens-youth and adult-can be made aware of the tremendous importance of knowledge the tremendous importance of knowledge to themselves individually and collectively. Considerable resources and energy at all levels of government are brought to bear on this question. And, what is the most valuable source of knowledge? Books, that is the answer. The wisdom and experience of centuries handed down in the printed word. I remember the emphasis placed on libraries as sources of entertainment and wisdom when I was an elementary school student; and that has been some time ago. I remember a pageant staged by the class of which I was a member. Its whole purpose was to stimulate an interest in books and libraries. I remember the first two lines of a song that opened the pageant. They were: "Books are the keys to wisdom's treasures. Books lead the way to lands of pleasures * * There is no disputing those assertions. And, through its participation and cooperation with State and local governments through the Library Services Act, the Federal Government is performing a great and valuable service to all Americans, from the elementary school student to the university professor, from the mechanic to the atomic physicist. And, what has the Library Services Act meant to our people? Authorities say the States have accomplished "remarkable things." and they cite some of the accomplishments in the first 3 years of the act. 1. Thirty million rural people now have new or improved public library service available to them as a result of the State programs under the Library Services Act. |