in the process of taking stock with regard to our libraries, information centers, and information sciences, particularly in light of the information explosion and technological advances for storing, retrieving, and communicating information since World War II. A White House Conference will enable our national leaders in both the Congress and the Executive Branch to evaluate our progress in the development of library and information services, determine future needs, and plan for the systematic implementation of ways to meet those needs. It is time for long-range planning in this country in many areas of our national life instead of ad hoc responses to crises, and a White House Conference on Library and Information Services can serve as the beginning point in such a long-range planning process in this basic aspect of our national life. Adequate library and information services are essential comcomitants of adequate education. They are the sine qua non of a vital democratic society. Technological advances in the past 30 years have already revolutionized information services for the mass public and for special groups. FM radio, including subcarrier transmission; high fidelity tape recording and speech compression; VHF. UHF, and closed circuit television; simultaneous teletypesetting in various parts of the country of newspapers, periodicals, and books; rapid photocopying and teletransmission of photocopied materials; computers; communications sattellites these are some of the technological advances which have or can be utilized in a worldwide network of library and information services. A White House Conference on Library and Information Services should also consider the needs of special groups, such as the blind and severely visually impaired, who cannot read ordinary printed material; the deaf, who cannot use auditory information systems; handicapped individuals who cannot handle or manipulate ordinary printed material and must utilize projection devices, page turners, or auditory reading systems; the homebound, who cannot get to and from libraries and information centers owing to severe mobility limitations; and others, like individuals with specific learning disabilities, who might benefit from a variety of information modalities if they were readily available. Therefore, we would strongly recommend that the planning committee for the conference schedule special concerns sessions to deal with these specific problems; and we would urge this Committee to include language calling for special concerns sessions in its report accompanying H.J. Res. 766. Similar special concerns sessions at the recent White House Conference on the Aging were effective in focusing attention on the needs of special groups. In conclusion. we urge prompt and favorable action on H.J. Res. 766 with the report language we have suggested. A White House Conference on Library and Information Services in 1976 would be an appropriate way to commemorate the bicentennial year of the American Revolution. It would be a fitting tribute to the founding fathers of this nation, who firmly believed that an informed electorate is essential to the successful functioning of a democracy. STATEMENT OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR INFORMATION SCIENCE The American Society for Information Science (ASIS) strongly supports H.J. Res. 734, H.J. Res. 766 and related resolutions to authorize and request the President to call a White House Conference on Library and Information Sciences in 1976. In supporting the resolutions, ASIS also strongly endorses the policies and statements set forth in the preamble to the joint resolution. Further. ASIS actively seeks a role in planning and participating in the Conference and in making the subject expertise of its Members available to the conferees. The Resolution heavily emphasizes the importance of advanced and modern technologies for the further improvement of access to and dissemination of information in the Nation's libraries and information centers. Essential requirements to this improvement are the training and continuing education of those who operate and manage these information systems and the education of those who use the services and products of the systems. We strongly urge the Conference to address itself to these areas. In addition, we suggest that the Conference deal with the nature of information problems anticipated in the future, in elaboration of those mentioned in the resolution. These problems will demand solutions on a radically different and broader scale than we have now. The following future information problems may be expected: The complexity of social structures and problems is increasing; as a result, the complexity of information requirements is increasing as well. However, the ability of information systems to satisfy these complex requirements is not keeping pace but rather seems to be decreasing; The human social order is in a transition period from the industrial to a post-industrial society; there is an increase (to the point of dominance) in types of work requiring higher education; knowledge is becoming the most important social force and knowers (professionals, technicians, managers, etc.) the most important social group; as a result, communication and management of knowledge will be one of the most essential areas of the new postindustrial society, requiring new concepts for many types of information systems; More specifically, policy-making and management related to the environment may become one of the most important factors in the survival of our civilization; since rational policy-making and management is based on information, we may expect an increase in demands for special kinds of new information systems related to policy-making and management; In highly developed societies, everyday life is becoming more complicated and each of us, as an individual, increasingly demands all kinds of information to function; furthermore, as we are becoming a people more and more assured of equality in goods and services, we start seeking new services related to quality of life and new modes of participation in social processes for all this we will need new types of information systems specifically oriented toward the general populace, not only toward the intellectual elite. The American Society for Information Science is a non-profit national professional association of nearly 4,000 Members concerned with the development and application of advanced technology that contributes to the more efficient use of existing information. ASIS is dedicated to the improvement of the information transfer process through research, development, application, and education. The Society acts as a bridge between research and development and the requirements of diverse types of information systems. It provides a forum for the discussion, publication, and critical analysis of work dealing with the theory and practice of all elements involved in the communication of information. The Society has a diverse membership reflecting the pioneering and changing aspects of an emerging subject. Its Members include information specialists from such wide-ranging fields as librarianship, management, linguistics, operations research, computer science, psychology, symbolic logic, data processing, communications, economics, mathematics, education, and other disciplines concerned with information handling. Members are employed by universities, the informationproducts industry, government agencies, computer manufacturers, software companies, research institutes, and a wide variety of other types of organizations. In supporting the joint resolution, we wish to emphasize that ASIS is heavily represented in many of the subject areas that will undoubtedly be discussed during the White House Conference. Since one of the aims of the Society is to bring people together from different levels-the theoretical, experimental, and practical, and from industry, government, and academe-we view the scope and purpose of the proposed White House Conference as very similar to those of the Society itself. ASIS is eagerly looking forward to participating in the White House Conference on Library and Information Sciences and contributing toward the success of this significant event. STATEMENT OF ASSOCIATION FOR EDUCATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS AND TECHNOLOGY The Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT), represents eight thousand educators whose aim it is to improve the educational environment available to learners at all levels through the application of technology to instruction. Our members have a wide range of responsibilities including the study, planning, application and production of communications media for instruction. They are employed in schools and colleges; in the Armed Forces and industry; and in museums, libraries and hospitals. It is important to note that our members interpret educational technology as more than machines and equipment. Rather, it is a process, rooted in learning theory and communications research, that enables a learner to learn more effectively and efficiently. 26-482-74-8 66 In first reading H.J. Resolution 766, I was impressed by the statement that access to information and ideas is indispensable to the development of human potential, the advancement of civilization, and the continuance of enlightened self-government." I couldn't agree more with that statement. This is something we in the educational technology field have stressed for many years. We feel our job is one of getting information to individuals in as effective a manner as possible. However, the second paragraph of the Joint Resolution leaves me at a loss. Certainly the preservation and dissemination of information and ideas are the primary functions of libraries, but libraries are not the sole repository of information. Information storage, which requires people to come to that storage area and riffle through vast quantities of information to find what they need, is a disservice to the public today. Knowledge is no longer confined to the printed word and preserved between book covers. Technology for the creation, processing and transmission of information has been vastly extended in the last decade. At this point we should be looking beyond libraries to the larger question of how our society's information needs are to be met in the future-perhaps to a network of communications. Certainly libraries would be a part of this network concept, but the network would extend beyond the library-even the library in its present conceptualization as an "information center." In a paper developed for a Conference on Interlibrary Communications and Information Networks, Dr. Robert Heinich, Professor of Education and Instructional System Technology at Indiana University, made the following point: The blue sky of the papers dealing with the technology of information handling clouds over somewhat when future social implications of networks are discussed. For example, we tend to assume that libraries will be the focal points of networks. This is not at all certain. Other networks exist, (the telephone, cable television, etc.), others will, and the structure that may evolve may be a thorough mix of several or all of them. Cable television, in private hands, could become the dominant network, in terms of the public, with library network nodes as ancillary suppliers. At the other end of the transmission spectrum, satellite systems may become the meta-network, subsuming many earthbound networks. (If I may mix metaphors, McLuhan's global village is on the horizon. Becker and Olsen (1968) in defining a network presuppose the existence of units waiting to be interconnected. This no doubt is true now but the dynamics of information handling will generate the units to be joined. Peter Drucker (1968) sees knowledge as one of the major growth industires of the future; if he is right, private enterprise will likely move in to dominate this aspect of networking." I have quoted extensively from Dr. Heinrich's paper because his vision of the meeting of information needs offers more promise than a mere consideration of reorganizing or in some way modifying present libraries. Granted, a networking system such as I am describing is a radical departure from what we know now and will require rethinking many areas from our copyright laws to public financing of education. The impact of a communication's network could be especially great on today's formal education. With a network instruction would become available wherever a terminal is located. Information and learning would become accessible to those who cannot or do not wish to participate in formal education--whether it is someone looking for specific information to prepare themselves for the next rung on the career ladder; a student studying a subject not available at his local school; or a handicapped person not able to travel to a formal educational setting. The question that arises is where will the terminals be located. Libraries (particularly public libraries) are one logical choice-they are widely distributed and could provide the necessary atmosphere, both social and academic. Let's speculate about the possibilties of such a networking system. A national curriculum group could design a course using interrelated series of films, programed instruction, books or other educational formats permiting self-study by individuals or small groups. The films would be available over cable TV. The related programed instruction would be available at the end of a terminal in a public library or other institutional setting. Assessment and accreditation of learners could be turned over to a group like the Educational Testing Service or American College Testing and carried out over the same terminals. Tuition could always be collected by credit card! I realize many of these ideas seem rather fantastic at this point. Granted a radical change such as we are considering is in the future. But it is not too soon to start preparing for that time. Some institutions have already made steps in that direction. Hiwassee College in Madisonville, Tennessee, has established a learning resources center including a communications laboratory with a multimedia capability. The library is providing many of the resources for the center. Through the center, students can dial access to remotedly located tape programs and hear that program through a headset. The laboratory can receive and record overseas broadcasts. A closed circuit television system was designed so that the three major networks, one PBS channel and one channel of the campus station are accessible in all classrooms. The library functions as the center of the total television programs-origination, production, distribution of campus originated programs; and the transmission of the network. The college is now expanding the cable distribution system into all existing buildings on campus. "Send-Receive" outlets will be installed in all buildings so programs can be originated everywhere on campus. They also plan to increase locally produced programs as well as daily campus news and educational programs. Eventually, they hope to tie all dormitory rooms into the system. The librarian of Hiwassee College, Ken Yamada, said in a recent article, “It is hoped that the library will eventually become part of an electronic information exchange network among depositories throughout the country and the world." I do not wish to denegrate the idea of a White House Conference on Libraries and Information Centers. As you can see from the above example, libraries can play an important part in the future. But I am suggesting we look toward the future in broader terms. Perhaps a White House Conference on Information Technology would be more appropriate. At the least, the ideas presented should be carefully considered and explored as part of the substance of any conference. This would get at the vital importance of "access to information and ideas (that is) indispensable." I know the Committee is aware of the importance of the future of educational technology as well as the future of libraries since both fall under your jurisdiction, and I hope my remarks will be helpful to you in developing legislative initiative that will enhance the relationship between libraries and educational technology. COALITION OF ADULT EDUCATION ORGANIZATIONS, Hon. JOHN BRADEMAS, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. DEAR SIR: It is my pleasure to adivse you that the Coalition of Adult Education Organizations at its regular meeting on November 15, 1973 endorsed the calling of a White House Conference on Library and Information Services in 1976. In addition to other reasons, we believe this would be an important contribution to the Bi-Centennial Year. Very truly yours, LEONARD P. ARIES, President. STATEMENT OF JOHN G. LORENZ ON BEHALF OF THE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF LIBRARY ASSOCIATIONS I appreciate the invitation, as Chairman of the Local Planning Committee for the 1974 General Council Meeting of the International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA), to submit a statement on H.J. Res. 734 and 766, authorizing a White House Conference on Libraries and Information Science in 1976. The International Federation of Library Associations, a nongovernmental organization founded in 1927 and supported partially by UNESCO funds, has several important objectives related to such a Conference: to promote cooperation in the field of librarianship and bibliography and to carry out research and development projects concerning the international relationships between libraries, library associations, bibliographers, and other organized groups. IFLA has continuously worked towards the principles for which it was founded and has made significant achievements toward the development and improvement of library service world-wide as well as in the United States. Specifically, IFLA was very helpful to the Library of Congress in achieving the cooperation of other national libraries and national bibliography centers in developing and carrying out LC's international shared cataloging program. This program was created through the foresight of the House Committee on Education and Labor in Title II-C of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and is commonly known as the National Program for Acquisitions and Cataloging (NPAC). ÑPAC answers the national need for effective and efficient centralized cataloging and eliminates costly duplicative cataloging by individual American libraries. The NPAC program has been received with great interest and enthusiastic response both nationally and internationally and has been hailed as one of the historic library developments of the 20th Century. For many years IFLA has also worked toward international agreement on cataloging principles, developing international standards relating to library statistics so that statistics reported from various nations can be compared and historic and valuable agreements on inter-library loan and exchange of document principles. IFLA has also worked toward the improvement of international transfer of machine-readable information and has organized meetings of experts, which included representatives of the Library of Congress, to develop standards to make it possible for users to recognize the elements in a bibliographic record, regardless of language. This would facilitate the conversion and exchange of these records in machine-readable form on an international scale and form the basis for Universal Bibliographic Control (UBC) which is now one of IFLA's major objectives. IFLA was one of the international associations which joined UNESCO in sponsoring the International Book Year in 1972. This program helped reveal that libraries play a major part in overcoming the dividing lines between nations by bringing books and their knowledge to the peoples of this world. As reflected above, the United States has also provided considerable leadership and talent to the work of IFLA. Considerable interest has already been expressed by members of IFLA on the planned White House Conference. The White House Conference would represent a most significant and in many cases an unparalleled and historic effort toward achieving an effective and efficient national system of library and information services. Through IFLA, the planning and accomplishments of such a national conference might serve as a model for the entire world. The 40th General Council meeting of IFLA to be held November 16 to 23, 1974, in Washington, D.C., will mark the first time this organization has met in the United States. The theme of the meeting is "National and International Library Planning." Anticipated attendance of delegates and observers is 1,000–1,500 representing over 75-100 countries of the world. The meeting could serve as a very effective springboard for disseminating the initial plans for the White House Conference. The results could well be similar planning in other countries for nation-wide development of library and information services. Several nations have already begun taking significant steps in this direction, e.g., the United Kingdom with the development of the British Libraries plan and similar plans of West Germany and Japan. Presentation from these countries are already being planned for the Washington conference. These plans illustrate the growing belief that the effective dissemination of information will be one of the decisive factors in the future growth rate of nations. I trust that at the Washington conference in 1974, United States representatives shall also be able to speak with definitiveness about the plans and programs of the National Commission on Libraries and Information and the White House Conference in 1976. INTERNATIONAL READING ASSOCIATION, Hon. JOHN BRADEMAS, DEAR MR. BRADE MAS: While the Select Subcommittee on Education will doubtless hear much expert testimony from professional library groups on H.J. Res. 734. H.J. Res. 766 and other resolutions on the desirability of requesting the President to call a White House Conference on Library and Information Services in 1976, it is perhaps appropriate for the International Reading Association, an organization representing 60,000 teachers of reading, to underscore the importance of such a conference. Libraries are of prime importance in the development of reading abilities of many kinds. In most situations, teaching a child to read where there are no |