A Brief Description of the ALA Library-21 Program

              A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ALA    LIBRARY-21    PHD GRAM
Febi-uary 1,   1961 ": : r
lm    Background
Following the completion of a "Feasibility Stnc^y for an ALA-Centttry-21
Library", by Joseph Becker^ Western Data Processing Center, University of
California, June 15, i960,    the Council on Library Resources made a further
grant to the ALA in order to establish an office to develop plans for the
proposed exhibit,2
A Coordinator, working with the ALA Advisory Committee on Library-21
has been charged with the following:
a#    To work with Exposition authorities, industry, and information
experts in designing the exhibit, including the program,  equipment, architecture, etc#
b#    To work with industry, Exposition authorities, and other sources of
funds and/or support in securing funds,
The current grant runs for five months (October 1, i960 - February 28,
1961),
2*    General Plan
In drawing up a program for "Library-21" we have devised a plan that we
hope will project the audience into a 21st Century library environment, and
demonstrate the role that the library of tomorrow may play in the field of
information communication*
"While Library-211 s over-all objective is the  enrichment of personal
lives through books and community library services, it will also show how
technological change has increased a library1 s capability by adding a new,
dynamic dimension to the scope of services it can offer#
We have assumed that while books and other printed materials have been
the traditional objects of use and pleasure which libraries have preserved
and made available, and while printed materials are and will remain basic to
all education and civilized thought, it is desirable that Library~21 introduce
new media such as films, microforms, radio, television, audio devices,  data
processing and information retrieval machines, as well as advanced systems
of communication.    Library-21 will demonstrate the application of the newest
technology to library work, provide maximum impact in informing both the
public and the library world of its potentialities, and thus stimulate new.
-*• Report to the .Executive Board, American Library Association,  of a study
conducted under a grant to the Association from the Council on Library
Resources,  CLR-102, May 26,  i960.
2 CLR Board Review 60-1J?, Project Title;    "Planning a ! Library of the Future*
E3diibit for Century-21 World Exposition,  Seattle,  1962," August 30, I960*