The Library Services Act (LSA) was passed by the U.S. Congress in 1956. Its purpose was to promote the development of

public libraries ''Public Libraries'' is the official publication of the Public Library Association (PLA), a division of the American Library Association (ALA). It is devoted exclusively to public libraries. The print edition is published six times a year and i ...

in rural areas through federal funding. It was passed by the

84th United States Congress The 84th United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, composed of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, D.C. from January 3, 1955 ...

as the H.R. 2840 bill, which the 34th President of the United States

Dwight D. Eisenhower Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower (born David Dwight Eisenhower; October 14, 1890 – March 28, 1969) was the 34th president of the United States, serving from 1953 to 1961. During World War II, he was Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionar ...

signed into law on June 19, 1956.

Background

Until passage of the Library Services Act public libraries depended on local taxes. In 1935, as part of Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal, the

American Library Association The American Library Association (ALA) is a nonprofit organization based in the United States that promotes libraries and library education internationally. It is the oldest and largest library association in the world. History 19th century ...

recognized that federal funding was a solution to expand services. Carleton Joeckel headed a committee on Post-War Standards for Public Libraries in 1943. In the fifty-year history of the American Library Association's Washington Office, Molumby has identified the Federal Relations Committee of the American Library Association, chaired by Paul Howard, as critical in providing support for ALA to have a representative in Washington, D.C. Paul Howard was the first director of the ALA Washington Office. Discussion of the need for national library legislation increased during and after

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

. In 1948 Joeckel and Amy Winslow wrote ''A National Plan for Public Library Service'' published by the American Library Association. Julia Wright Merrill, Secretary of the Public Library Extension Committee of the

, was instrumental in the legislative process. In 1983

Edward G. Holley Edward Gailon Holley
at

state library administrative agencies were required to submit a plan to the Commissioner of Education that demonstrated how the funds would be used, whether for library personnel, books, or equipment. Thus, making state and local governments prioritize the improvement of their libraries while also establishing their own initiatives and objectives. Since federal government was not favorably looked upon at the time, the law stated multiple times the state’s authority regarding any decisions toward the library’s goals, management, or collection. However, up until 1961, Indiana was the only state that did not accept federal funds. Governor Harold Handley believed that by accepting the funds, “Hoosiers would be brainwashed with books handpicked by the Washington bureaucrats.” U.S. Representative

John Brademas Stephen John Brademas Jr. (March 2, 1927 – July 11, 2016) was an American politician and educator originally from Indiana. He served as Majority Whip of the United States House of Representatives for the Democratic Party from 1977 to 1981 a ...

of Indiana vehemently disagreed. It was reported that Gov. Handley rejected approximately $700,000 to improve the library services. Overall, the LSA had a major positive impact on libraries throughout the rest of the country. An additional 5 million books and other informational and educational materials were secured for rural communities. Many libraries noted a 40% or more increase in book circulation as well, along with a 32% increase in interlibrary loans. Other accomplishments included 288

bookmobile A bookmobile, or mobile library, is a vehicle designed for use as a library. They have been known by many names throughout history, including traveling library, library wagon, book wagon, book truck, library-on-wheels, and book auto service. Boo ...

s for rural communities and 800 new library staff members. Multitype and public library systems were established due to the LSA as well. When the Library Services and Construction Act became effective in 1964, the formation of regional and statewide library networks continued to grow. The LSA was set to expire in 1961, but plans were already in motion to prolong the act. On May 26, 1960, the Senate passed a five-year extension without a single opposing vote. An Allerton Park Institute on the Impact of the Library Services Act was held in 1962 jointly sponsored by the University of Illinois, Graduate School of Library Science and

United States Office of Education The Office of Education, at times known as the Department of Education and the Bureau of Education, was a small unit in the Federal Government of the United States within the U.S. Department of the Interior from 1867 to 1972. It is now separa ...

, Library Services Branch. 1962. ''The Impact of the Library Services Act : Progress and Potential'': Papers Presented at an Institute Conducted Jointly by the University of Illinois Graduate School of Library Science and the Library Services Branch U.S. Office of Education. Champaign Ill Only a few years later, the

Library Services and Construction Act The Library Services and Construction Act, enacted in 1964 by the U.S. Congress, provides federal assistance to libraries in the United States for the purpose of improving or implementing library services or undertaking construction projects. Th ...

would be introduced replacing the Library Services Act.

References

{{reflist 1956 in the United States Library law