Washington, DC - The U.S. National Commission on Libraries and Information Science (NCLIS) has passed a resolution adopting Principles for Public Library Service based on the UNESCO Public Library Manifesto. The 1995 UNESCO Manifesto was prepared as an aid to improving public library services in both developed and developing countries.
Commission Members took this action during their meeting on April 7, 1999 in Ann Arbor, MI. The Principles clearly articulate the Commission's long-standing belief that public library services should be provided on the basis of equality of access for all; specific and appropriate services and materials should be provided for those in need, regardless of disability or age, in appropriate media, using modern technologies as well as traditional means. The Principles put forth 12 key missions considered to be the core of public library services and they specifically address issues of funding, legislation and networks, as well as operation and management issues.
In adopting this resolution, the Commission encourages decision makers at national, state and local levels and the library community at large within the United States to provide public library service in conformance with the Principles. Vice Chair Martha Gould, Reno, NV, observed, "Because we are always raising the bar on the level of excellence in public libraries, we urge all Federal, state and local governments to consider these Principles when making policy and funding decisions affecting our public libraries. We believe that by adopting and implementing these Principles for Public Library Service, our libraries will set new and higher standards of service and continue to serve as models for lifelong learning throughout the world."
Commissioner Bobby Roberts, Director, Central Arkansas Library System, stated, "These Principles reinforce the need for community collaborations, which are the basis of good government. Libraries are an integral part of every community and, as such, must always search for better ways to provide the best possible service. This document provides another model of excellence for public libraries to strive to achieve."
The full text of the NCLIS Resolution follows:
WHEREAS Congress has affirmed that library and information services adequate to meet the needs of the people of the United States are essential to achieve national goals and to utilize most effectively the nation's educational resources; and
WHEREAS Congress established the U.S. National Commission on Libraries and Information Science (NCLIS) as a permanent, independent agency of the Federal government to advise the executive and legislative branches on national library and information policies and plans; and
WHEREAS the Commission has the primary responsibility for developing overall plans for meeting national library and informational needs and for the coordination of activities at the federal, state, and local levels, taking into consideration all of the library and informational resources of the nation to meet those needs; and
WHEREAS the Commission concurs with the UNESCO Public Library Manifesto that the public library, the local gateway to knowledge, provides a basic condition for lifelong learning, independent decision-making and cultural development of the individual and social groups; and
WHEREAS the Commission concurs with the UNESCO Public Library Manifesto that the public library is a living force for education, culture and information, and an essential agent for the fostering of peace and spiritual welfare through the minds of men and women; and
WHEREAS the Commission shares with UNESCO the conviction that the establishment and maintenance of public libraries is a task of government at national and local level; and
WHEREAS the Commission hopes that educators, social and cultural workers, and community leaders will stimulate interest and promote by all available means the availability of public library service which will meet the needs outlined in these Principles and be a central and dynamic force in their community.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, That the Members of the U.S. National Commission on Libraries and Information Science hereby adopt the following Principles for Public Library Service and encourages U.S. implementation of the UNESCO Public Library Manifesto:
A gateway to knowledge
Freedom, Prosperity and the Development of society and of individuals are fundamental human values. They will be attained through the ability of well-informed citizens to exercise their democratic rights and to play an active role in society. Constructive participation and the development of democracy depend on satisfactory education as well as on free and unlimited access to knowledge, thought, culture and information.
The public library, the local gateway to knowledge, provides a basic condition for lifelong learning, independent decision-making and cultural development of the individual and social groups.
This Manifesto proclaims UNESCO's belief in the public library as a living force for education, culture and information, and as an essential agent for the fostering of peace and spiritual welfare through the minds of men and women.
UNESCO therefore encourages national and local governments to support and actively engage in the development of public libraries.
The local center of information
The public library is the local center of information, making all kinds of knowledge and information readily available to its users.
The services of the public library are provided on the basis of equality of access for all, regardless of age, race, sex, religion, nationality, language or social status. Specific services and materials must be provided for those who cannot, for whatever reason, use the regular services and materials, for example, linguistic minorities, people with disabilities or people in hospital or prison.
All age groups must find material relevant to their needs. Collections and services have to include all types of appropriate media and modern technologies as well as traditional materials. High quality and relevance to local needs and conditions are fundamental. Material must reflect current trends and the evolution of society, as well as the memory of human endeavor and imagination.
Collections and services should not be subject to any form of ideological, political or religious censorship, nor commercial pressure.
Missions of the public library
The following key missions which relate to information, literacy, education and culture should be at the core of public library services:
Funding, legislation and networks
The public library shall in principle be free of charge. The public library is the responsibility of local and national authorities. It must be supported by specific legislation and financed by national and local governments. It has to be an essential component of any long-term strategy for culture, information provision, literacy and education.
To ensure nationwide library coordination and cooperation, legislation and strategic plans must also define and promote a national library network based on agreed standards of service.
The public network must be designed in relation to national, regional, research and special libraries as well as libraries in schools, colleges and universities.
Operation and management
A clear policy must be formulated, defining objectives, priorities and services in relation to the local community needs. The public library has to be organized effectively and professional standards of operation must be maintained.
Cooperation with relevant partners - for example, user groups and other professionals at the local, regional, national as well as international level - has to be ensured.
Services have to be physically accessible to all members of the community. This requires well situated library buildings, good reading and study facilities, as well as relevant technologies and sufficient opening hours convenient to the users. It equally implies outreach services for those unable to visit the library.
The library services must be adapted to the different needs of communities in rural and urban areas.
The librarian is an active intermediary between users and resources. Professional and continuing education of the librarian is indispensable to ensure adequate services.
Outreach and user education programs have to be provided to help users benefit from all the resources.
The U.S. National Commission on Libraries and Information Science is a permanent, independent agency of the Federal government charged by Public Law 91-345 to advise the President and Congress on national and international library and information policies and plans.