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PUBLIC LAW 91-600-DEC. 30, 1970

[84 STAT.

Public Law 91-600 December 30, 1970

[s- 3318] Library Services and Construction Amendments of 1970.

AN ACT To amend the Library Services and Construction Act, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That this Act may be cited as the "Library Services and Construction Amendments of 1970". PURPOSE; AMENDMENT TO THE LIBRARY SERVICES AND CONSTRUCTION ACT

70 Stat. 293; 78 Stat. 16. 20 USC 351 note.

SEC. 2. (a) I t is the purpose of this Act to improve the administration, implementation, and purposes of the programs authorized by the Library Services and Construction Act, by lessening the administrative burden upon the States through a reduction in the number of State plans which must be submitted and approved annually under such Act and to afford the States greater discretion in the allocation of funds under such Act to meet specific State needs and, by providing for special programs to meet the needs of disadvantaged persons, in both urban and rural areas, for library services and for strengthening the capacity of State library administrative agencies for meeting the needs of all the people of the States. (b) The Library Services and Construction Act (20 U.S.C. 351 et seq.), is amended by striking out all that follows the first section and inserting in lieu thereof the following: "DECLARATION OF POLICY

"SEC. 2. (a) I t is the purpose of this Act to assist the States in the extension and improvement of public library services in areas of the States which are without such services or in which such services are inadequate, and with public library construction, and in the improvement of such other State library services as library services for physically handicapped, institutionalized, and disadvantaged persons, in strengthening State library administrative agencies, and in promoting interlibrary cooperation among all types of libraries. "(b) Nothing in this Act shall be construed to interfere with State and local initiative and responsibility in the conduct of library services. The administration of libraries, the selection of personnel and library books and materials, and, insofar as consistent with the purposes of this Act, the determination of the best uses of the funds provided under this Act shall be reserved to the States and their local subdivisions. uDEFINITIONS

"SEC. 3. The following definitions shall apply to this Act: " (1) 'Commissioner' means the Commissioner of Education. "(2) 'Construction' includes construction of new buildings and acquisition, expansion, remodeling, and alteration of existing buildings, and initial equipment of any such buildings, or any combination of such activities (including architects' fees and the cost of acquisition of land). For the purposes of this paragraph, the term 'equipment' includes machinery, utilities, and built-in equipment and any necessary enclosures or structures to house them; and such term includes all other items necessary for the functioning of a particular facility as a facility for the provision of library services.

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