MEETING WITH ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC LAW 480 (SECTION 104 N.)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP68-00069A000100190054-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 28, 1998
• Sequence Number: 54
• Publication Date: November 16, 1959
• Content Type: MIN

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Meeting with Advisory Committee on Pub it Law 480 (Section 104 n.)
Monday, November 16, 1959
Present:
Representing Other Federal Agencies:
Mr. Scott Adams and Mr. Sievers,
Office of Science Information Services,
National Science Foundation
Miss Estelle Brodman, National Library
of Medicine
Mr. Leo Goodman, Department of State
CIA
Mr. Foster Mohrhardt, Department
of Agriculture Library
Representing Other Groups:
Dr. F.H. Burkhardt, American Council
of Learned Societies
Mr. John Dawson, American Library
Association
Mr. William Dix, Association of
Research Libraries
Mrs. Ruth Hooker, Special Libraries
Association
Professor Julius Marke, Association of
American Law Libraries
Representing Library of Congress:
Dr. L. Quincy Mumford
Librarian of Congress
Mr. Rutherford D. Rogers
Chief Assistant Librarian
Mrs. Marlene D. Morrisey
Executive Assistant to the Librarian
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2 -
Representing Library of Congress: (continued)
Dr. Roy P. Basler
Director, Reference Department
Mr. Lewis C. Coffin
Assistant Director, Processing Department
Mr. William Rossiter
Deputy Chief, Office of Fiscal Services
Mr. Robert Stevens
Coordinator of the Development and
Organization of the Collections
Mr. William Welsh
Administrative Officer, Processing Department
Summary of the Discussion:
The Librarian welcomed the group and thanked the representatives
for their willingness to explore with the Library some of the problems
involved in planning a program under Public Law 480 (Section 104 n.);
At Mr. Rogers' request, Mr. Coffin reviewed developments to date, commencing
with the meeting of this group on October 1, 1958 (for the purpose of
considering the scope of the program) and culminating in the indication in
the Senate Report on the request for fiscal 1960 (No.. 597, July 31, 1958)
that the proposal should be resubmitted (in January 1960) for fiscal 1961.
Accordingly, the Library has followed the required steps, in cooperation
with the Bureau of the Budget and the Department of State. The Library
recognizes the interest of other groups in this program, which is designed
to be of benefit to library and scholarly programs in this country generally.
Time limitations not imposed by the Library and the confidentiality of budget
estimates until they are made public through formal transmittal of the budget
to the Congress (in January) prevent discussion of the program in detail.
The planning of last year's proposal, Mr. Rogers explained, necessarily had
to take into consideration such special problems as the limitation of certain
facilities abroad, the relation of certain aspects of the proposed program
to the United States' broad mission in specific parts of the world, and the
extent to which a large-scale program of this kind can be developed
simultaneously in various locations. This latter consideration in particular
has argued for concentration at least in the initial stages on two basic
operations -- i.e. the acquisition of materials and the cataloging of them
abroad (thus making use of linguistic abilities less easily available in
this country). A further essential consideration has been the Library's
inability to absorb in its regular budget administrative overhead for any
such special undertaking, and the necessary inclusion in last year's
proposal of allowances for this purpose. As indicated its Senate Report
No. 597, mentioned above, all agencies have been directed to specify the
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dollar amounts they will require to administer such programs. Mr. Adams
mentioned, too, the concern on the part of some to have offsets made that
would result in savings to our Government. If the program is approved, the
Library would hope to be able to present it in the field; a survey operation
would seem in order for each country involved to determine more precisely
the extent to which acquisition, cataloging and related functions can be
carried on in foreign areas either on a contractual basis or with bi-national
staffs under L.C. direct supervision. Planning has included designation of
the number of sets (i.e. complete current printed production) to be obtained
in a particular area and some provision for photoduplication of materials.
Multiple copies would be involved, and purchase of older materials would not
be precluded, although immediate concern would probably be directed toward
the acquisition of all current printed materials. While it is recognized that
eventually other related operations, such as extensive abstracting, might be
undertaken also, it is believed that at the beginning at least the emphasis
should be given to acquisition of publications needed for scholarly research
in this country. Comment was made on the importance of ascertaining ot of
degree of usenow.being made of the materials already available, i phe
which agencies are well aware.
Turning to the question of recipients of materials that might be
brought in under this program, it was the general consensus of the meeting
that the Librarian of Congress should name a small committee (including
representatives of the American Council of Learned Societies, the Social
Science Research Council, the Association of Research Libraries, and perhaps
one or two others) to recommend to the Library a general formula or plan
for the distribution of materials. The allocations under Farmington Plan
(which involved assignment to institutions of responsibility to collect
comprehensively in a specific subject field or in a specific area) could
be of some use perhaps in such distribution planning. The area study
programs already underway in colleges and universities and those that may
be yet in the planning stage need to be taken into account as well as the
size and location of collections already available. Information concerning
the categories of publications to be acquired would be useful provision setting up
a suggested distribution plan, it was pointed out. Some p probably
should also be made to permit first recipients to pass on materials they do
not need to other institutions where they would be more useful. Representatives
from non-Federal agencies spoke also of the possible importance of a carefully
planned, acceptable distribution plan in connection with final action on the
proposal. Among the anticipated questions that might arise would undoubtedly
be some of the following: Are these materials really available now in
adequate quantities? Are these materials really desired and needed by those
to whom it is planned to distribute materials? To what degree do these
recipients already have access to these resources?
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Because this program is of high value to the public interest,
representatives of the outside groups expressed their concern about the
importance of getting it into operation and assured the Librarian of their
desire to help in any appropriate way. The Librarian again thanked the
group for its interest and indicated that the Library would be glad to
have further suggestions as they may occur to members of this advisory body.
He stressed the fact that the proposed undertaking has been planned with a
view to augmenting and strengthening the cultural and scientific resources
of this country.
The session concluded with the understanding that the Librarian
would name a special subcommittee to advise him on distribution (perhaps a
preliminary report could be submitted to him by the end of December).
MM
November 17, 1959
Copies to:
Mr. Scott Adams
Miss Estelle Brodman
The Librarian
Chief Assistant Librarian
25X1A9a
Mr. Leo Goodman
Dr.
Basler (15 copies)
Mr.
Dr.
Mr.
Foster Mohrhardt
F. H. Burkhardt
John Dawson
Mr.
Mr.
Mr.
Mrs.
Coffin (10 copies)
Gooch (3 copies)
Rossiter
Morrisey
Mr.
Dr.
Mrs.
William Dix
Pendleton Herring
Ruth Hooker
Secretary's Office
Professor Julius Marke
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