STUDY OF STATE LIBRARY LEGISLATION

The objectives of this study are to: (1) analyze current state library legislation in relation to a number of characteristics of the states to determine patterns of state-level legislation; (2) correlate information about legislation which provides present grants-in-aid support for library development and operation; (3) describe and analyze the relationship of state support in the light of information gained in (1) and (2) ; and (4) suggest guidelines for further legislative programs. Three categories of investigation were undertaken: (1) a compilation and analysis of current state public library legislative policy and support level, (2) an investigation of the environmental relationships associated with variations in state public library policy and state support and (3) a review of the current status of state public library legislative policy with recommendations for modification and the adoption of future policy. This study produced no evidence that state library legislation is patterned along common background characteristics of the states. The legislation is most alike in terms of permissiveness, service responsibilities and fiscal limitations rather than income, population, etc. (NH