THE LIBRARY SERVICES AND CONSTRUCTION ACT, TITLE III: PUBLIC SCHOOL LIBRARY PARTICIPATION WITHIN COOPERATIVE LIBRARY NETWORKS

Statement of the Problem. The question undertaken in this study was: What has been the national effect of LSCA Title III in stimulating public school library participation within cooperative library networks? This study documents and analyzes the changes which have occurred to promote and/or improve public school library programs in networks funded by LSCA Title III. This study also identifies the factors contributing to the successes and shortcomings of the federal library program.;The sample population consisted of fifty-two networks and forty-two public school libraries located in twenty-nine states and Washington, DC. The study group consisted of twenty-four networks and forty-two public school libraries located in eighteen states. There were no reported networking activities in the insular territories of the United States involving public school libraries.;Results. Results clearly indicate that LSCA Title III was and continues to remain an obscure federal library program to public school librarians. Neither they nor their network colleagues believe the program serves to stimulate public school library participation in networks as do other funding resources. The overall effect of the program, however, has been positive.;Early and continuing efforts of public school librarians engaged in networking have shown that fiscal, legal, attitudinal, governance, planning, evaluation, and technological concerns (the seven variables in this study) are not unsurmountable. Public school librarians function as contributing members to their networks. They realize benefits which improve and extend services to the students and teachers they serve.;Procedures and Methods. Procedures and methods included: (1) Determining the population and sample; (2) Survey development; (3) Establishing validity and reliability; (4) Data gathering and analysis. Appropriate descriptive statistics, a standardized t-test, Cronbach alpha, the Chi-square test, and the Spearman rank correlation coefficient were used.;Conclusions. From meager beginnings in the last century to the present, public school librarians have been adaptive to an ever-changing environment. Their participation in networking is part of the same process. Their dedication to serve and their willingness to share, together with their abilities, are firmly in place. Hence, their institutions will continue to function as cybernetic and flexible entities in a greater landscape. LSCA Title III is a vital part in this process.