(The statement referred to follows:) STATEMENT OF SENATOR HUBERT H. HUMPHREY AND SENATOR EUGENE MCCARTHY IN SUPPORT OF FULL APPROPRIATION FOR LIBRARY SERVICES PROGRAM Mr. Chairman, one of the important programs administered under the U.S. Office of Education is that of providing grants to States for library services. This program was authorized by the Library Services Act of June 19, 1956, which earmarked an annual appropriation of $7,500,000 for these services. So far the full allocation has never been appropriated, but we sincerely hope that it will be appropriated for fiscal 1960. The Bureau of the Budget has recommended an appropriation of $5,150,000 for fiscal 1960. This recommendation is predicated on the assumption that the $850,000 which has not yet been distributed to the States from the current appropriation would be added to make the 1960 appropriation $6 million or equivalent to the 1959 appropriation. Minnesota has qualified for and used its full allocation of library service funds each year. Since the remaining $850,000 is for States which have not used their full allocations through fiscal 1960, Minnesota and other States which have already used their full allocation are faced with a cutback in their programs. In the case of our State, funds would be cut back close to the 1958 appropriation. We cannot afford such a program cutback with the wide response to the program evidenced in Minnesota. The Minnesota library service program has been quite effective, Mr. Chairman, and it is gaining momentum. We are especially proud of the establishment of our first regional libraries with the combined State-Federal aid funds provided by LSA and State matching funds. However, the needs of the program are still demanding. This means that more money is needed. Therefore, Mr. Chairman, we urge the committee to appropriate for fiscal 1960 the full $7,500,000 for library services. Because we are proud of the accomplishments in library services in Minnesota, and because we feel the members of this committee should be aware of these accomplishments, we are attaching a progress report prepared by the library division of the Minnesota Department of Education. LIBRARY PROGRESS IN MINNESOTA UNDER THE LIBRARY SERVICES ACT Prepared by Library Division, Minnesota Department of Education Minnesota has qualified for, and used, its full allocation each year under the 3 years (through fiscal 1959) of the Library Services Act. The Federal funds were as follows: 1957, $40,000; 1958, $117,448; 1959, $135,750. In 1958 and 1959 the Minnesota program under LSA has had State aid funds to match the Federal funds. Minnesota has more than matched the Federal funds. As a result of the expenditure of this money, the following accomplishments have been made possible: 1. Strengthening the services of the library division of the State department of education, which administers the program. Specifically: The purchase and operation of two exhibit-demonstration bookmobiles. The addition of a field adviser (professional), a bookmobile driver, and more clerical help. The rapid growth in the quantity and quality of books available for its direct rural services and service to small public libraries. The preparation of a wide variety of explanatory materials about the rural library development program. Allowance for the additional travel involved in work with the local libraries, library boards, and citizen groups in the rural areas of the State. 2. Establishing and developing new and improved rural library service in the State through grants-in-aid: New establishments: Anoka County Library: Furnishes service to the 20,000 people in the county (1950 census, now estimated as double this) who previously had only the city libraries in Columbia Heights and Anoka to serve them. Has nearly 14,000 books (all newly purchased), operates a bookmobile and three local-service libraries (Spring Lake Park, Coon Rapids, and Circle Pines) and provides films. Though brand new, the use is running at a rate which will total over 100,000 circulation this year, and it is still growing rapidly. Dakota-Scott Regional Library (serving Dakota and Scott Counties): Newly established region, just started to serve two counties with over 50,000 rural people. Will have two bookmobiles, and operate several local small libraries. Just developing. East Central Library (serving Isanti, Mille Lacs, and Pine Counties): Regional library now being established. Only Isanti County had library service on countywide basis before new development. Board appointed and now making plans to create service for around 45,000 rural people. Development guests: Previously established county libraries which prepared plans and qualified for small grants in 1958 were— Blue Earth County, for bookmobile, two branches, additional nonfiction books, and the bookmobile operating expenses. Clay County Library, for science and other nonfiction books, two branches, establishment of audiovisual services. Kandiychi-Willmar Public Library, for merging formerly separate libraries, additional nonfiction books, audiovisual service, three new branches. Koochiching County Library, for adult nonfiction books, some equipment. Martin County Library, for books and audiovisual materials and services, and equipment. Nobles County Library, for books, two improved branches (raised from stations) part of cost of bookmobile. Stearns County Library, for adult books and establishment of three branches. Waseca County Library, for bookmobile, books, and audiovisual service. In all grant areas, local boards are in charge, and must have a professional librarian as administrator. Local support must be provided, either (1) not less than provided in 1956; (2) more if service established with grant required added funds to continue support; or (3) not less than 1 mill on the assessed valuation which ever is largest sum. All areas must be prepared to support the continuation of the service after it is established with the help of aid funds. Current activities toward new developments: Both Polk and Marshall Counties have acted to establish library service on a countywide basis, and the attempt is being made to induce them to join together in a regional library. At this time, they have been unable to find mutually satisfactory terms under which they can join. Some kind of new development in the area is certain, but it is still uncertain as to what it will be. Other counties with citizen groups now working actively toward partiicpation in the library development program are: Becker, Meeker, Benton, and Sherburne. Preliminary, but as yet unorganized, interest is manifest in 10 other counties in various parts of the State. PAYMENTS TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS APPROPRIATION ESTIMATE "For payments to local educational agencies for the maintenance and operation of schools as authorized by the Act of September 30, 1950, as amended (20 U.S.C., ch. 13), [$130,000,000 $142,300,000: Provided, That this appropriation shall also be available for carrying out the provisions of section 6 of such Act." Decreases for program items: For assistance to States in the maintenance and operation of schools: 1960 budget estimate.. 1960 House allowance. -$7,700,000 +13, 957, 000 EFFECT OF HOUSE ACTION The House Committee on Appropriations in acting on the appropriations for the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare for 1960 increased the President's budget by $21,657,000 for payments to school districts. As the Secretary indicated, this increase is contrary to the fiscal policy of the President. However, at the request of the Senate Appropriations Committee, the following statement is submitted in explanation of how this increase, if enacted, would be applied. At the time the budget was prepared for 1960, the estimate for payments to school districts of $142,300,000 was consistent with the action of the Congress in 1959, when an amount of $130 million was appropriated which would have provided payments to school districts of 85 percent of full entitlements. Subsequently, an additional amount of $20 million for this purpose is pending in the Second Supplemental Appropriation Act for 1959, which will provide for payment of full entitlements in 1959. A legislative proposal is in process of development which will propose certain restrictions on eligibility, which, if enacted, would substantially reduce the requirements to pay full entitlements in 1960. The House allowance for this activity in fiscal year 1960 of $163,957,000 would provide for payments to school districts of full entitlements under existing legislation, as has now been provided for the fiscal year 1959. As stated by the Secretary when he appeared before the committee, such an increase would further contribute to inflation and weakening of the national economy. It is recommended, therefore, that the increase over the President's budget be eliminated by the Senate. Summary of Public Law 874 estimated entitlements, by State, fiscal years 1959 and PREPARED STATEMENT Dr. DERTHICK. Mr. Chairman, the next item has to do with payments to school districts in federally affected areas under Public Law 874. (The statement referred to follows:) STATEMENT OF COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION ON PAYMENTS TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS, OFFICE OF EDUCATION The program of Federal financial assistance for the operation of schools in federally affected areas was extended by the 85th Congress through fiscal year 1961, with certain amendments. The Congress appropriated $130 million in the first Supplemental Appropriation Act for fiscal year 1959, and subsequent to our hearings before the House Appropriations Committee an additional $20 million is pending in the second Supplemental Appropriation Act, making a total of $150 million for the current year. The total funds now authorized for the fiscal year 1959 will provide for payments of full entitlements. The appropriation requested for 1960 amounts to $142,300,000 and was based on congressional action in providing an original appropriation for 1959 which would provide payments to school districts of 85 percent of full entitlements. The main factors causing the increase in requirements for 1960 are the continuing increase in cost of education and the liberalizing amendments made by Public Law 85-620. These amendments resulted in an increase in the number of applications and the number of federally connected children counted for entitlement during fiscal year 1959. In fiscal year 1960 it is estimated that the attendance of federally connected children will increase over fiscal year 1959 by 6 percent-from 1,360,000 in 1959 to 1,440,000 in 1960. It is estimated that some 4.000 school districts will apply for assistance in fiscal year 1960, an increase of 5.5 percent in the number of applications. The payments provided under this legislation will be used by school districts to maintain standards of education in federally affected districts which are generally comparable to educational programs provided in other school districts within the State. BUDGET PROVISION Dr. DERTHICK. The President's budget calls for an amount of money that would pay 85 percent of the entitlement. Senator HILL. Eighty-five percent of the Federal entitlement? Dr. DERTHICK. That is right. HOUSE ACTION Senator HILL. The House increased it to 100 percent? Senator HILL. How can you justify paying 85 percent, Doctor? Dr. DERTHICK. There is a legislative proposal coming through, calling for certain amendments to this act. Senator HILL. I am glad you used that word "coming." It would have to go through both committees, the committees of the House and Senate, and then have to pass both bodies, would it not? Dr. DERTHICK. I understand the House Appropriations Committee has given some encouragement to the idea. Senator MONRONEY. Would this not mean that if only 85 percent. of the entitlement is voted, these federally impacted areas then would have a diminishment of 15 percent for a year in which they have already made plans and the enrollments are there and the job is there to be done? Dr. DERTHICK. Except that the Congress has provided for a supplemental to pay 100 percent on the current year 1959. |