A joint resolution to authorize and request the President to call a White House Conference of Library and Information Services to be held not later than 1989, and for other purposes.
PL 100-382 (H.J.Res.90), enacted 08/08/1988

102 STAT. 898 
PUBLIC LAW 100-382—AUG. 8, 1988 
Public Law 100-382 
100th Congress 
Joint Resolution 
Aug 8 1988 
'^^ authorize and request the President to call and conduct a White House Conference 
' ' 
on Library and Information Services to be held not earlier than September 1, 1989, 
[H.J. Res. 90] 
gjjj jjot ig^gj. tjigjj September 30, 1991, and for other purposes. 
20 use 1501 
Whereas access to information and ideas is indispensable to the 
note. 
development of human potential, the advancement of civilization, 
and the continuance of enlightened self-government; 
Whereas the preservation and the dissemination of information and 
ideas are the primary purpose and function of the library and 
information services; 
Whereas the economic vitality of the United States in a global 
economy and the productivity of the work force of the Nation rest 
on access to information in the postindustrial information age; 
Whereas the White House Conference on Library and Information 
Services of 1979 began a process in which a broadly representative 
group of citizens made recommendations that have improved the 
library and information services of the Nation, and sparked the 
Nation's interest in the crucial role of library and information 
services at home and abroad; 
Whereas library and information service is essential to a learning 
society; 
Whereas social, demographic, and economic shifts of the past decade 
have intensified the rate of change and require that Americans of 
all age groups develop and sustain literacy and other lifelong 
learning habits; 
Whereas expanding technological developments offer unprecedented 
opportunities for application to teaching and learning and to new 
means to provide access to library and information services; 
Whereas the growth and augmentation of the Nation's library and 
information services are essential if all Americans, without regard 
to race, ethnic background, or geographic location are to have 
reasonable access to adequate information and lifelong learning; 
Whereas the future of our society depends on developing the 
learning potential inherent in all children and youth, especially 
literary, reading, research, and retrieval skills; 
Whereas rapidly developing technology offers a potential for ena-
bling libraries and information services to serve the public more 
fully; and 
Whereas emerging satellite communication networks and other 
technologies offer unparalleled opportunity for access to education 
opportunities to all parts of the world, and to individuals who are 
homebound, handicapped, or incarcerated: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled, 
20 u s e 1501 
SECTION 1. PRESIDENT TO CALL CONFERENCE IN 1989. 
The President is authorized to call and conduct a White House 
Conference on Library and Information Services to be held not 
PUBLIC LAW 100-382—AUG. 8, 1988 
102 STAT. 899 
earlier than September 1, 1989, and not later than September 30, 
1991. 
SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF CONFERENCE. 
(a) PURPOSE.—The purpose of the White House Conference on 
Library and Information Services shall be to develop recommenda-
tions for the further improvement of the library and information 
services of the Nation and their use by the public, in accordance 
with the findings set forth in the preamble to this joint resolution. 
Oa) COMPOSITION.—The Conference shall be composed of— 
(1) representatives of professional library and information 
personnel and individuals who support or furnish volunteer 
services to libraries and information services centers, from all 
age groups and walks of life, and members of the general public; 
(2) representatives of local, statewide, regional, and national 
institutions, agencies, organizations, and associations which pro-
vide library and information services to the public; 
(3) representatives of educational institutions, agencies, 
organizations, and associations (including professional and 
scholarly associations for the advancement of education and 
research); 
(4) individuals with special knowledge of, and special com-
petence in, technology as it may be used for the improvement of 
library and information services; and 
(5) representatives of Federal, State, and local governments. 
(c) DISTRIBUTION OF PARTICIPANTS.—In carrying out subsection 
(a)-
(1) one-fourth of the participants shall be selected from the 
library and information profession, 
(2) one-fourth of the participants shall be selected from among 
individuals who are currently active library and information 
supporters, including trustees and friends groups, 
(3) one-fourth shall be selected from among individuals who 
are Federal, State, or local government officials, and 
(4) one-fourth shall be selected from the general public. 
(d) STATE PARTICIPATION OPTIONAL.—(1) State and territorial dele-
gates and alternates to the national conference may participate in a 
respective State or territorial conference. 
(2) Nothing in this Act shall be construed to require any State to 
participate in a State or territorial conference. 
SEC. 3. ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS. 
(a) DIRECTION BY COMMISSION.—The Conference shall be planned 
and conducted under the direction of the National Commission on 
Libraries and Information Science. 
Qo) COMMISSION FUNCTIONS.—In carrying out this joint resolution, 
the Commission shall— 
(1) when appropriate, request the cooperation and assistance 
of other Federal departments and agencies in order to carry out 
its responsibilities; 
(2) make technical and financial assistance Oay grant, con-
tract, or otherwise) available to the States to enable them to 
organize and conduct conferences and other meetings in order 
to prepare for the Conference; 
(3) prepare and make available background materials for the 
use of delegates to the Conference and associated State con-
ferences, and prepare and distribute such reports of the Con-
20 u s e 1501 
note. 
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note. 
Grants. 
Contracts. 
State and local 
governments. 
102 STAT. 900 
PUBLIC LAW 100-382—AUG. 8, 1988 
ference and associated State conferences as may be appropriate; 
and 
(4) conduct fiscal oversight activities with respect to the 
preparation for and the convening of the Conference including 
contracting for the services of an audit firm. 
(c) FEDERAL AGENCY COOPERATION AND ASSISTANCE.—(1) Each Fed-
eral department and agency, including the national libraries, shall 
cooperate with, and provide assistance to the Commission upon its 
request under clause (1) of subsection (b). For that purpose, each 
Federal department and agency is authorized and encouraged to 
provide personnel to the Commission. 
(2) The Librarian of Congress, the Director of the National Library 
of Medicine, and the Director of the National Agricultural Library 
are authorized to detail personnel to the Commission, upon request, 
to enable the Commission to carry out its functions under this joint 
resolution. 
(d) PERSONNEL.—In carrying out the provisions of this joint resolu-
tion, the Commission is authorized to engage such personnel as may 
be necessary to assist the Commission and the Advisory Committee, 
without regard for the provisions of title 5, United States Code, 
governing appointments in the competitive service, and without 
regard to chapter 51, and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title 
relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates. 
(e) EXPENSES.—Members of the Conference may, while away from 
their homes or regular places of business and attending the Con-
ference, be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of 
subsistence, as may be allowed under section 5703 of title 5, United 
States Code, for persons serving without pay. Such expenses may be 
paid by way of advances, reimbursement, or in installments as the 
Commission may determine. 
20 u s e 1501 
SEC. 4. REPORTS. 
(a) SUBMISSION TO PRESIDENT; TRANSMITTAL TO CONGRESS.—A final 
report of the Conference, containing such findings and recommenda-
tions as may be made by the Conference, shall be submitted to the 
President not later than 120 days following the close of the Con-
Public 
ference. The final report shall be made public and, within 90 days 
information. 
after its receipt by the President, transmitted to the Congress 
together with a statement of the President containing the rec-
ommendations of the President with respect to such report. 
0?) PUBLICATION AND DISTRIBUTION.—The Commission is au-
thorized to publish and distribute for the Conference the reports 
authorized under this joint resolution. Copies of all such reports 
shall be provided to the depository libraries. 
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SEC. 5. ADVISORY COMMITTEE. 
(a) COMPOSITION.—There is established an advisory committee of 
the Conference composed of— 
(1) eight individuals designated by the Chairman of the 
Commission; 
(2) five individuals designated by the Speaker of the House of 
Representatives with not more than three being Members of the 
House of Representatives; 
(3) five individuals designated by the President pro tempore of 
the Senate with not more than three being Members of the 
Senate; 
(4) ten individuals appointed by the President; 
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' • • ^ - ^ f ^ ^ * ^ ^ 
• " ' 
PUBLIC LAW 100-382—AUG. 8, 1988 
102 STAT. 901 
(5) the Secretary of Education; and 
(6) the Librarian of Congress. 
The President, the President pro tempore of the Senate, the Speaker 
of the House of Representatives, and the Chairman of the Commis-
sion shall, after consultation, assure that members of the Advisory 
Committee are broadly representative of all areas of the United 
States. 
(b) FUNCTION.—The advisory committee shall assist and advise the 
Commission in planning and conducting the Conference. 
(c) ADMINISTRATION.—(1) The Chairman of the Commission shall 
serve as Vice Chairman of the Advisory Committee. The Advisory 
Committee shall elect the Chair of the Advisory Committee from 
among its members, who are not full-time Federal employees. The 
Advisory Committee shall select the Chair of the Conference. 
(2) The Chairman of the Advisory Committee is authorized to 
establish, prescribe functions for, and appoint members to, such 
advisory and technical committees and staff as may be necessary to 
assist and advise the Conference in carrying out its functions. 
(d) COMPENSATION.—Members of any committee established under 
this section who are not regular full-time officers or employees of 
the United States shall, while attending to the business of the 
Conference, be entitled to receive compensation therefor at a rate 
fixed by the President but not exceeding the rate of pay specified at 
the time of such service for grade GS-18 in section 5332 of title 5, 
United States Code, including traveltime. Such members, may, 
while away from their homes or regular places of business, be 
allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as 
may be authorized under section 5703 of title 5, United States Code, 
for persons in the Government service employed intermittently. 
SEC 6. GIFTS AND TITLE TO CERTAIN PROPERTY. 
20 USC 1501 
(a) GIFTS.—The Commission shall have authority to accept, on Grants. 
behalf of the Conference, in the name of the United States, grants, 
gifts, or bequests of money for immediate disbursement by the 
Commission in furtherance of the Conference. Such grants, gifts, or 
bequests offered the Commission, shall be paid by the donor or his 
representative into the Treasury of the United States, whose re-
ceipts shall enter such grants, gifts, and bequests in a special 
account to the credit of the Commission for the purposes of this 
joint resolution. 
03) REVERSION OF CERTAIN EQUIPMENT AND MATERIAL.—Materials 
and equipment acquired by the White House Conference shall revert 
to the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science 
after the close of the White House Conference. 
SEC. 7. DEFINITIONS. 
20 USC 1501 
For the purpose of this joint resolution— 
(1) the term "Commission" means the National Commission 
on Libraries and Information Science; 
(2) The term "Conference" means White House Conference on 
Library and Information Services; and 
(3) the term "State" includes the District of Columbia, the 
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the 
102 STAT. 902 
PUBLIC LAW 100-382—AUG. 8, 1988 
Virgin Islands, the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, and 
American Indian Tribes. 
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SEC. 8. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
There are authorized to be appropriated without fiscal year 
limitations $6,000,000 to carry out this joint resolution. Such sums 
shall remain available for obligation until expended. 
Approved August 8, 1988. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.J. Res. 90 (S.J. Res. 26): 
HOUSE REPORTS: No. 100-121 (Comm. on Education and Labor) and No. 100-765 
(Comm. of Conference). 
SENATE REPORTS: No. 100-156 accompanying S.J. Res. 26 (Comm. on Labor and 
Human Resources). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD: 
Vol. 133 (1987): June 8, considered and passed House. 
Dec. 15, S.J. Res. 26 considered in Senate; H.J. Res. 90, amend-
ed, passed in lieu. 
Vol. 134 (1988): July 13, Senate agreed to conference report. 
July 26, House agreed to conference report.