****Begin File******************Begin File*******************Begin File**** *************************************************************************** ISBN 1069-7799 ALAWON ALA Washington Office Newsline An electronic publication of the American Library Association Washington Office Volume 4, Number 81 September 11, 1995 In this issue: (208 lines) SENATE COMMITTEE ISSUES REPORT ON LSTA BILL, S. 856 *************************************************************************** SENATE COMMITTEE ISSUES REPORT ON LSTA BILL, S. 856 A report issued by the Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee on August 30 provides additional background on S. 856 and on Committee intent regarding the proposed Library Services and Technology Act and the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The Senate Committee approved S. 856 on a bipartisan vote of 12-4 on July 19, but its report (S. Rept. 104-135) has just become available, a necessary step before floor action can occur. The report includes a fairly full explanatory section about Title II, the Museum and Library Services Act, of S. 856. Since, as the report notes, no hearing was held on the structural and administrative changes recommended to library programs, the section is reproduced here in full: Title II--Museum and Library Services Act The legislation calls for a merger of the Institute of Museum Services and the Library Services and Construction Act into the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Provisions relating to the Institute of Museum Services have been maintained from current law while many of the provisions relating to the Library Services and Construction Act have been changed to reflect the prevailing needs and concerns of the American public as they relate to library services. The concentration of the library programs has been shifted to access and technology. The committee, in merging these programs, has noted the benefit to be gained by the American public through this closure [sic] association. The programs will also be strengthened from collaboration and partnership in the critical areas of technology and access. The committee believes that support for museums and libraries is vital as they are institutions which have proven effective in enhancing educational opportunities for all. By uniting the forces of libraries and museums in local communities, the committee believes that learning opportunities will be enhanced for individuals in those communities. The Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services shall be appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate for a term of 4 years. The Director will oversee the Office of Museum Services and the Office of Library Services. The expertise of the Director shall rotate each term between an individual who has special competence with regard to library and information services and an individual who has competence with regard to museum service in order to ensure a balance in administering these programs. The museum services program remains as it is now, with a Museum Board advising the director on museum policy, while the library program will be advised by the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science. The library program under S. 856, referred to as the Library Services and Technology Act, represents a marked departure from the current administration and focus of the program. The Library Services and Technology Act consolidates, streamlines and simplifies administration of the current library program with the intent of providing services more efficiently. The focus and priorities of the act have been changed to library and information access through technology and access to libraries and information through the provision of special services. In addition, the committee mandates a national leadership program designed to enhance the quality of library services nationwide. Funds have been specifically reserved to provide assistance for children in poverty, Indian tribes and for the national leadership program in library science. Administration of the Federal program has been capped at 10 percent of authorized funds and administration at the State level has been capped at 5 percent of authorized funds. Such provisions have been incorporated to ensure that the bulk of the money is available to State library administrative agencies to serve the local community's needs. The committee, in highlighting the importance of information access through technology, has sought to afford States the ability to improve library and information service by providing access to information delivered by libraries. The committee intends for funds to be used to support the development and improvement of the technology infrastructures of libraries. In addition, the committee has sought to assist States in improving library and information services for those of all ages and cultures who have difficulty getting to a library, need special materials or services, or would benefit from outreach service. In providing funds to State library administrative agencies, the committee intends for them to focus on initiatives such as increasing literacy and lifelong learning, providing services and materials to special populations, and providing services and outreach to people in rural or urban areas. The bill provides for a reservation of funds to be distributed to the State agency for children in poverty, based on a formula of $1.50 for each preschool aged child and $1.00 for every school aged child. Priorities for the use of such funds include the development of after school homework support and summer and vacation reading programs, family literacy programs, extension of branch hours to provide resources for homework, peer tutoring programs, training programs involving library and other service providers and the hiring of outreach staff. The committee recognizes the importance and value of enhancing library services in the area of technology as the nation moves into the 21st century and has, therefore, shifted the focus of our national library program from construction to information technology. In addition, the committee agrees that the provision of special services and outreach to underserved communities benefits the nation by increasing the educational opportunities available to those who might not otherwise receive it. It is the committee's intent that the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science serve as an advisory board to the Director of the Institute for Museum and Library Services with respect to general policies. The Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services has been included as an ex officio, non voting, member of the Commission. The committee does not intend for the Commission to have the responsibility to advise or direct State administrative agencies on matters of State or local administration of funds awarded under this Act. Since the committee held no hearing on the recommended changes in both the structure and the administration of the library program, some additional background is provided. Over the years LSCA has evolved and changed significantly to meet the needs of the Nation. In response to the library community's work to consolidate, simplify, and update LSCA, the committee made significant changes in an effort to continue its spirit but tailor it to reflect the information needs of the American people into the next century. A number of factors came together to provide the momentum for change within the library community, including the impending sunset of the existing LSCA; the recommendations of the 1991 White House Conference on Library and Information Services; the emphasis within both branches of government on reexamining Federal priorities, increasing government accountability, and reinventing Government and the evolving information superhighway and changing technologies. Spearheaded by the American Library Association (ALA), a Task Force on LSCA Reauthorization was established in 1993 with representatives from ALA, the Chief Officers of State Library Agencies, and the Urban Libraries Council. The groups also opened their deliberations to participation or observation from the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science, and the Office of Library Programs in the Department of Education. The result was a proposal in late 1994 for a Library Services and Technology Act to replace current law. The committee has included a modified version of this proposal in the legislation. The committee bill states that strong library services are essential to empower people to succeed in our Nation's increasingly global and technological environment. Most library funding is local, but federal stimulus funds are concentrated on certain critically important and appropriate national goals. The State-based programs under LSTA sharpen the focus on two of these goals: to adapt new technologies to identify, preserve, and share library and information resources across institutional, local, and State boundaries; to ensure that all Americans have access to the information superhighway; and to extend outreach to those for whom library service requires extra effort or special materials (such as new readers, the geographically isolated, children in poverty, or people with disabilities). The committee is also concerned with additional national goals: to ensure that the existing information infrastructure of libraries is technologically equipped to perform public and governmental functions cost effectively, such as supporting literacy and lifelong learning; organizing and providing access to Federal, State, and local government information; undergirding economic development by providing jobs information and supporting small businesses; and providing consumer health information; and to support education and training in library and information science, research and demonstrations relating to improvement of library services, and preservation or digitization of library materials and resources. To provide national-level attention to these goals, the committee bill establishes a National Leadership Program to enhance the quality of library services nationwide. Of funds appropriated, 8 percent is reserved to carry out a national leadership program in library science. The committee expects that, subject to the availability of funds, activities each year under this program would include education and training programs, research and demonstration projects, and preservation or digitization of library materials and resources. The committee bill places the administration of library programs in an independent agency rather than in the Department of Education, as is currently the case with LSCA. The independent agency is a combined Institute of Museum and Library Services. This step has been taken for a number of reasons. The committee believes that in moving the library programs from the Department of Education, it will provide an opportunity for enhanced stature and stability in this newly consolidated Institute of Museum and Library Services. The committee notes that fewer than half of the State library administrative agencies that administer LSCA funds in the States are located in a state department of education. Libraries and library agencies, cooperatives, and networks are engaged in information infrastructure initiatives, economic development initiatives, digital library and preservation initiatives, archival and government information activities, and many other State and local partnerships that extend beyond libraries' educational role. The committee intends that the Department of Education should continue its historic role in the collection and compilation of data about libraries and their users; and its support of libraries in connection with educational research, information dissemination, and education and training activities, as well as in other assistance to educational institutions and programs at all levels. However, the committee sees great potential in an Institute that is focused on the combined roles that libraries and museums play in our community life, in support of research, learning, and entertainment, and in support of American culture and history. The joint museum-library projects called for in the committee bill could include projects in which libraries and museums cooperate in helping children learn and discover; coordinate related preservation projects; make use of electronic networks and digital media; or develop joint exhibits, to cite just a few examples. The committee recognizes that the Institute will need staff experienced in, and capable of, administering State-based and national library programs. The committee intends that the Director of the Institute should give serious consideration to candidates who are currently or recently employed in the Office of Library Programs at the Department of Education. It is the committee's intent that current Federal employees with appropriate qualifications be given every consideration in the staffing of the Office of Library Services at the Institute. In taking this step to integrate these two agencies, the committee has also made an effort to preserve the mission and integrity of each. The committee intends for the museum program and the library program to be equal partners in this newly constituted Institute. Museums and libraries are institutions that make enormously significant contributions to the community, and the committee believes strongly that an understanding of this balance with regard to their benefit and utility continue to be recognized and respected. *************************************************************************** *************************************************************************** ALAWON (ISBN 1069-7799) is an irregular publication of the American Library Association Washington Office, 1301 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20004. Internet: alawash@alawash.org; Phone: 202-628-8410; Fax: 202-628=8419. Contributing to this issue: Carol C. Henderson; Editor: Lynne E. Bradley (leb@alawash.org). 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