The State Library Agencies

Shavit's book is an implementation analysis of the impact of federal aid on the organization and administration of state library agencies. He examines five state libraries in detail, supplemented by data from eight other states that have reported using federal funds for their libraries. Through the use of qualitative evaluation methods and unstructured interviews with the people involved, Shavit attempts to answer many of the questions surrounding his topic including implementation, the stimulus for institutional change, the extent of accomplishment with regard to legislatively mandated activities, how the agencies have been strengthened and improved, and the realistic expectations of the response to federal aid. Finally, he proposes recommendations for future policy regarding federal aid to public libraries and the role of state library agencies in relation to such aid.

The papers in this proceedings describe similarities and differences in state libraries and examine the state library role in local, regional, and national network development and in the dissemination of information to various client segments. The papers are: (1) "The Commonalities of State Library Agencies" (Barrat Wilkins); (2) "Research/Special Library Model" (Barbara F. Weaver); (3) "Department of Public Instruction Model" (J. Maurice Travillian); (4) "Independent Agency Model" (Richard G. Akeroyd, Jr.); (5) "Executive Branch Model" (Jane Williams); (6) "Statewide Telecommunications Development" (Sara A. Parker); (7) "Statewide Database Development" (James B. Johnson, Jr.); (8) "Multitype Library Network Development" (Jean E. Wilkins); (9) "State Libraries and OCLC" (Kate Nevins); (10) "State Libraries and Regional Bibliographic Networks" (Bonnie Juergens); (11) "State Libraries and the Distribution of State Government Databases" (Rodney G. Wagner); (12) "State Libraries and Public Information Policy/Legislation" (Richard M. Cheski); (13) "State Libraries and Service to Private Citizens" (Nancy L. Zussy); (14) "State Libraries and Service to Corporate Sector/Local Governments" (Howard F. McGinn); and (15) "State Libraries and Service to Educational Institutions" (John C. Tyson). Draft recommendations for further study and action are included. A conference background paper, report of business sessions, speaker biographies, meeting agenda, and a paper entitled "The Challenge Offered by the National Research and Education Network" (Clifford A. Lynch) are appended. (KRN)