Library Trends 04 (4) Spring 1956: State and Provincial Libraries in the United States and Canada

A X T O N P. PRICE the state library is the least well-known in literature.Although no comprehensive study of it as a type exists, there is a committee of the American Library Association which has outlined such a study and is seeking a sponsor for its realization.No doubt remains about the assigned place of the state agency in the plan for complete public library service.That has been fully and authoritatively covered in the profession's basic literature dealing with evaluation and planning.Three of these works, Post-War Standards?A National Plan for Public Library Seraice> and, The Public Library in the United States: all agree that state libraries occupy the key position in all plans and efforts to advance public library service to its rightful place in the nation's total education program.However, the Inquiry,6 and other documents on the subject accord only a few agencies the ability and strength required to live up to responsibilities.The responsibility placed upon the state library agency by the pro-fession2 is staggering and, in the majority of cases, wholly out of proportion to its existing strength.Moreover, it is discouraging to learn that the recent increase in financial strength of state agencies has been absorbed by the rising economy rather than converted into new growth.The services expected of state libraries are so numerous and vaned as to require an organization approaching the stature of the average state department of education.Contrasted with this is the hard fact that no state agency is as large in staff or as well financed as the largest city library within its own state.The big assignment of duties and services desired from state libraries includes continuing research, fielding, a corps of consultants, operation of a large circulation and reference library as well as a system of branches, providing examination and supervision services, maintaining a fiscal and statistical bureau, and conducting an active legislative lobby program.The most importance is attached by authorities1.2 to the state library's role as integrator of local library services and expediter of quality in order to provide a minimum standard of service for the individual citizen.Valid as this duty may be, planners must take into account the findings reported by the Inquiry that librarians, boards, and local governments have been anything but eager to participate in arrangements proposed for larger units of service.The five library functions performed at the state level are: law library, legislative reference, state historical library, general library, and extension services.Because the profession at large is primarily interested in only the last two functions this report concerns itself P A X T O N P. PRICE limitation of resources with which to meet its responsibilities forces the state agency to establish priorities on its services.There has been a prevailing trend to isolate the legislative reference or research function from the state library giving it a separate existence with responsibility only to the legislature.The expansion of state government and the increasing need by its lawmakers for extensive service between sessions are the most likely causes for this trend.Another promising trend has been the increasing state support of public library service through greater financial assistance.This trend became noticeable in the 1930's and has been conspicuous since 1945.However, recent significant increases have been almost altogether in those states which already had state aid appropriations rather than in those states where there has been none.State aid stimulation grants have been reported as a significant factor in the number of county and regional libraries being established.However, only one state agency has listed it as of first importance among the many types of effort made for this purpose, suggesting that state aid is not among the stronger influences in improving local library service.Clearly discernible is a trend to attach regulations to state aid grants.More and more libraries are being required to meet minimum standards of service as a condition in qualifying for grants.Authorities on the subject recommend this on the theory that the state must receive some assurance, in return for its support, that measurable improvement will result.The predominant trend in promotion effort is toward the establishment of larger units of service.Larger units of service are a keystone in the "systems of service" which have been recommended for SO long.Yet despite this effort, small independent library units have increased in number and re-organization to provide larger units of service has not progressed to any appreciable extent.While some consolidation has occurred, the idea of improvement of local service through such re-organization is more easily comprehended by state library representatives than by local people.The big obstacle in this struggle consists of a deep-rooted devotion to an established taxing district.It must be exchanged for a new concept of "larger area of service."It is far easier to sell people who have no local library establishments the idea of a service area large enough to provide a minimum quality of service.Only personnel on duty with state agencies can fully appreciate the c3401Government Interests in Libraries

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