Library And Information Services For Literacy Productivity And Democracy

The oversight hearing at the second White House Conference on Library and Information Services (WHCLIS2) focuses on the role of the library in three major areas addressed by conference presenters: a literate work force; the productivity to compete in the international marketplace in the 21st century; and a populace fully equipped to participate in the democratic process. In addition to introductory remarks by Senators Claiborne Pell and Paul Simon, this report on the hearing contains statements and/or testimony presented by the following witnesses: (1) Charles E. Reid, Prodevco Group, chair of the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science and the 1991 White House Conference; (2) Charles Benton, Public Media, Inc., chairman emeritus of the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science and the 1979 White House Conference; (3) Richard L. Venezky, National Center on Adult Literacy, chairman of the OTA Advisory Panel and Technology; (4) Vinton Cerf, Corporation for National Research Initiatives; (5) Timothy Healy, New York Public Library; (6) James H. Billington, the Librarian of Congress; (7) Thomas Sobol, Commissioner of Education, State of New York; (8) Joan Ress Reeves, White House Conference on Libraries and Information Services Task Force; (9) Patricia Glass Schuman, president, American Library Association; (10) Enrique Luis Ramirez, San Francisco, CA; (11) Robert Wedgeworth, Columbia University Library School; (12) Lotsee Patterson, representing Native Americans; (13) Laurence Reszetar, White House Conference Youth Caucus; (14) Theresa A. Nellans, Pennsylvania Office for the Deaf and Hearing Impaired; (15) Julianna Kimball, Phoenix, AZ; (16) K. Wayne Smith, OCLC; (17) Virginia Gaines Fox, Kentucky Authority for Educational Television; (18) Frederic J. Glazer, West Virginia Library Commission; and (19) Richard T. Miller, State Librarian, Montana. (BBM)

This summary report addresses the information needs of American citizens, institutions, schools, industry, and government within the context of three themes: literacy, democracy, and productivity. The report includes a preamble, which provides background information on the conference; discussions of the challenges posed by the Information Age in each of the three theme areas; a summary of the highlights of the delegates' recommendations; and the 15 recommendations earmarked for priority action by an early vote of the conference delegates. The recommendations cover the following issues: availability and access to information; national information policies; information networks through technology; structure and governance; services for diverse needs; training to reach end users; personnel and staff development; preservation of information; and marketing to communities. It is suggested that these initiatives collectively provide a blueprint for ways in which the United States can move from a nation at risk to a nation of students and restore our international preeminence in commerce, industry, science, and technological innovation. Also included in the report are the mission statement of the White House Conference (excerpted from Public Law 100-382 and the following appendixes: (1) summary of the conference process; (2) geographic overview of delegate representation; (3) the 95 recommendations and petitions adopted by the delegates together with an index to the recommendations; (4) a list of conference advisory committee members; (5) a list of National Commission on Libraries and Information Science commissioners; (6) conference committee rosters; and (7) a list of conference delegates and alternates. Concluding the report are the names and titles of the White House Conference staff. (MAB)