J. Linda Williams was coordinator of school library services for Anne Arundel County Public Schools prior to her retirement. She served as AASL President 2005-2006 and is also a past president of the Maryland Association of School Librarians. Looking back on her 2005-2006 term as AASL President, Williams writes that she feels that particular year…

For over a half a century, State Library Administrative Agencies (SLAAs) have played a key role in the development and delivery of library services in the United States. While the organization and responsibilities of these agencies vary from state to state, they have two things in common: state-level planning for library services and…

In a rare show of bipartisanship, the Senate passed the controversial Federal Library Agency Act (FLAA) on a nearly unanimous voice vote, sending it to President Obama for his expected signature. The House had passed it in February with a two-thirds majority. The FLAA creates a new mandate by combining federal library functions scattered…

In preparation for its Five-Year Plan for the years 2008 through 2012, the Rhode Island Office of Library and Information Services has reviewed a variety of information resources, including studies, publications, surveys and stakeholder meetings, to assist in understanding the state, its people, its future and the potential role of libraries. This…

Discusses the history of Finnish library work and the growing role of libraries; general features of Finnish public libraries (location, number of patrons, financing of libraries, personnel, acquisitions); organization of the libray system; and reformation of the state subsidy system and the public libraries act. (CT)

The South Carolina State Library presents its long-term plans for using federal funds received under the Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA). Titles 4 through 8 of the act are administered directly by the U.S. Department of Education. This document shows how South Carolina plans to use funds from Title 1, Library Services; Title 2, Public…

Federal and state legislation which provides funds in support of library programs and legislation that has financial implications for libraries are reviewed with examples from public and academic libraries. Implications of accepting library funds, the impact of the Copyright Act law, Title II-C of the Higher Education Act, postal regulations, the…

This document records testimony given in the state of Montana before three members of the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Postsecondary Education on the reauthorization of the Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA). (The first and still the largest federal program of assistance specifically for public libraries, LSCA is…

Supporting documentation for the grant and use of Federal Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA) funds in South Carolina is presented in this annual program. Under Title I, Library Services, the bulk of the grant money is planned for the following projects: (1) general administration (Project I-A); (2) library interpretation (Project I-B);…

This document records testimony before the U.S. Senate on the reauthorization of Public Law 84-597, the Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA). The original purpose of the LSCA was to bring library services to rural areas and to those citizens who had previously been deprived of access (the handicapped, disadvantaged, and those who speak…

Provides background on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and presents guidelines for library compliance, including read the legislation; designate an employee as ADA coordinator; evaluate current policies, services, and facilities; implement changes; provide training for library staff and related groups; and solicit feedback from disabled…

Describes the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and discusses its implications for both public and private libraries. The term "disability" is defined; sources of federal regulations that pertain to libraries are cited; the need for sign language interpreters is discussed; Braille materials are considered; and staff requirements are…

In 1992, the Texas State Library used federal funds received under the Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA) to improve library services throughout Texas. For fiscal year 1992, $6,248,330 were received from the LSCA and $5,409,368 were supplied by the state. Most of these funds (91.5 percent) were granted directly to Texas libraries under…

The national guidelines for school library media programs clearly establish that the goal of the school library media specialist is to provide an instructional program that helps students and faculty become efficient and effective users of information. Along with running the library at a technical level as the program administrator, the school…

Explains scope of the Library Services and Construction Act, Title IV-B, and Higher Education Act, Title II, programs with emphasis on library funding. The future of library programs under these acts is also addressed. (SW)