LSA And The Development Of Library Systems

Abstract

I was asked (and how could I have thought last summer I could do it?) to analyze and forecast the different directions library system development resulting from the Library Services Act has taken and is likely to take in different states and in different parts of the country, together with the underlying reasons for such differences. Is consolidation the answer? Or cooperation? Or federation? What is the (proper) role of the local library in larger systems ? What are the effects of LSA to date on this role ? Indeed, what is the future of the local library its collection, its staff, its services ? In short, what has happened, what can, will, or should happen in largerunit development as state agencies, LSA funds, and local and regional libraries join forces ? These were the questions asked, probably answerable only by the most careful study of each of the state plans, followed by on-the-scene observation, and analysis of what has been and will be done with the plans, in every area where any of the funds have gone and will be used. This is quite beyond my West Coast reach. From partial knowledge of state plans, and extremely limited observation of what has been done with them, I shall try to make a few comments on the questions raised.