Native American library and information services

The delegates to the 1991 White House Conference on Library and Information Services accepted 95 recommendations and petitions. Most of the recommendations concerning the improvement of library and information services apply to Native American communities, especially those referring to Services for Diverse Needs, Literacy Initiatives, and Multicultural, Multilingual Programs / Staffs. In addition, tribal libraries are specified in two priority recommendations: (1) “Thus, a local, state, regional, tribal, and national commitment of financial resources of library services is an indispensable investment in the Nation's future;” and (2) “That networks connecting small, rural, urban, and tribal libraries be developed and supported at the federal, state, and local levels to ensure basic library services to all end users.” 1 The unique information needs of Native Americans are also addressed in the petition, “On Native American Libraries and Information Services.” 2 This paper discusses those recommendations and petition items which concern library and information services for Native Americans.