§ 9121. Purpose

Statutory text

It is the purpose of this subchapter—

to enhance coordination among Federal programs that relate to library, education, and information services;

to promote continuous improvement in library services in all types of libraries in order to better serve the people of the United States;

to facilitate access to resources in all types of libraries for the purpose of cultivating an educated and informed citizenry;

to encourage resource sharing among all types of libraries for the purpose of achieving economical and efficient delivery of library services to the public;

to promote literacy, education, and lifelong learning, including by building learning partnerships with school libraries in our Nation’s schools, including tribal schools, and developing resources, capabilities, and programs in support of State, tribal, and local efforts to offer a well-rounded educational experience to all students;

to enable libraries to develop services that meet the needs of communities throughout the Nation, including people of diverse geographic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds, individuals with disabilities, residents of rural and urban areas, Native Americans, military families, veterans, and caregivers;

to enable libraries to serve as anchor institutions to support community revitalization through enhancing and expanding the services and resources provided by libraries, including those services and resources relating to workforce development, economic and business development, critical thinking skills, health information, digital literacy skills, financial literacy and other types of literacy skills, and new and emerging technology;

to enhance the skills of the current library workforce and to recruit future professionals, including those from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds, to the field of library and information services;

to ensure the preservation of knowledge and library collections in all formats and to enable libraries to serve their communities during disasters;

to enhance the role of libraries within the information infrastructure of the United States in order to support research, education, and innovation;

to promote library services that provide users with access to information through national, State, local, regional, and international collaborations and networks; and

to encourage, support, and disseminate model programs of library and museum collaboration.

Legislative history

Reconstructed from this section’s Code source credit and amendment notes, resolved against the local Statutes at Large. Editorial notes are evidence, not the law that made the change.

1996
Arts, Humanities, and Cultural Affairs Act of 1976
Pub. L. 94–462 title II § 212 · 90 Stat. 1971
Enacted · 20 U.S.C. § 9121
Pub. L. 94–462, title II, § 212, as added Pub. L. 104–208, div. A, title I, § 101(e) [title VII, § 702], Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–233, 3009–295
Source evidence
Code source credit
Pub. L. 94–462, title II, § 212, as added Pub. L. 104–208, div. A, title I, § 101(e) [title VII, § 702], Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–233, 3009–295
2003
Museum and Library Services Act of 2003
Pub. L. 108–81 title II § 201 · 117 Stat. 991
1. Added · 20 U.S.C. § 9121(2)(5)
  Pub. L. 108–81 added pars. (2) to (4)
2. Struck · 20 U.S.C. § 9121(2)(5)
  Pub. L. 108–81 struck out former pars. (2) to (5) which read as follows:
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Pars. (2) to (5). Pub. L. 108–81 added pars. (2) to (4) and struck out former pars. (2) to (5) which read as follows:
“(2) to stimulate excellence and promote access to learning and information resources in all types of libraries for individuals of all ages; “(3) to promote library services that provide all users access to information through State, regional, national and international electronic networks; “(4) to provide linkages among and between libraries; and “(5) to promote targeted library services to people of diverse geographic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds, to individuals with disabilities, and to people with limited functional literacy or information skills.”
Enacted provision · exact public law section
SEC. 201. PURPOSE. Section 212 of the Library Services and Technology Act (20 U.S.C. 9121) is amended by striking paragraphs (2) through (5) and inserting the following: “(2) to promote improvement in library services in all types of libraries in order to better serve the people of the United States; “(3) to facilitate access to resources in all types of libraries for the purpose of cultivating an educated and informed citizenry; and “(4) to encourage resource sharing among all types of libraries for the purpose of achieving economical and efficient delivery of library services to the public.” .
2010
Museum and Library Services Act of 2010
Pub. L. 111–340 § 201(1) · 124 Stat. 3594
1. Added · 20 U.S.C. § 9121(1)
  Pub. L. 111–340, § 201(1), added par. (1)
2. Struck · 20 U.S.C. § 9121(1)
  Pub. L. 111–340, § 201(1), struck out former par. (1) which read as follows: “to consolidate Federal library service programs;”
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Par. (1). Pub. L. 111–340, § 201(1), added par. (1) and struck out former par. (1) which read as follows: “to consolidate Federal library service programs;”.
Enacted provision · exact public law section
(1) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following: “(1) to enhance coordination among Federal programs that relate to library and information services;” ;
2010
Museum and Library Services Act of 2010
Pub. L. 111–340 § 201(2) · 124 Stat. 3594
Inserted · 20 U.S.C. § 9121(2)
Pub. L. 111–340, § 201(2), inserted “continuous” after “promote”
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Par. (2). Pub. L. 111–340, § 201(2), inserted “continuous” after “promote”.
Enacted provision · exact public law section
(2) in paragraph (2), by inserting “continuous” after “promote”;
2010
Museum and Library Services Act of 2010
Pub. L. 111–340 § 201(3) · 124 Stat. 3594
Added · 20 U.S.C. § 9121(5)(9)
Pub. L. 111–340, § 201(3)–(5), added pars. (5) to (9)
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Pars. (5) to (9). Pub. L. 111–340, § 201(3)–(5), added pars. (5) to (9).
Enacted provision · exact public law section
(3) in paragraph (3), by striking “and” after the semicolon;
2018
Museum and Library Services Act of 2018
Pub. L. 115–410 § 7(1) · 132 Stat. 5412
Inserted · 20 U.S.C. § 9121(1)
Pub. L. 115–410, § 7(1), inserted “, education,” after “library”
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Par. (1). Pub. L. 115–410, § 7(1), inserted “, education,” after “library”.
Enacted provision · exact public law section
(1) in paragraph (1), by inserting “, education,” after “library”;
2018
Museum and Library Services Act of 2018
Pub. L. 115–410 § 7(2) · 132 Stat. 5412
1. Added · 20 U.S.C. § 9121(5)
  Pub. L. 115–410, § 7(2), added par. (5)
2. Struck · 20 U.S.C. § 9121(5)
  Pub. L. 115–410, § 7(2), struck out former par. (5) which read as follows: “to promote literacy, education, and lifelong learning and to enhance and expand the services and resources provided by libraries, including those services and resources relating to workforce development, 21st century skills, and digital literacy skills;”
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Par. (5). Pub. L. 115–410, § 7(2), added par. (5) and struck out former par. (5) which read as follows: “to promote literacy, education, and lifelong learning and to enhance and expand the services and resources provided by libraries, including those services and resources relating to workforce development, 21st century skills, and digital literacy skills;”.
Enacted provision · exact public law section
(2) by striking paragraph (5) and inserting the following: “(5) to promote literacy, education, and lifelong learning, including by building learning partnerships with school libraries in our Nation’s schools, including tribal schools, and developing resources, capabilities, and programs in support of State, tribal, and local efforts to offer a well-rounded educational experience to all students;” ;
2018
Museum and Library Services Act of 2018
Pub. L. 115–410 § 7(4) · 132 Stat. 5412
Redesignated · 20 U.S.C. § 9121(6); 20 U.S.C. § 9121(7)
Pub. L. 115–410, § 7(4), added pars. (6) and (7). Former pars. (6) and (7) redesignated (8) and (9), respectively
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Pars. (6), (7). Pub. L. 115–410, § 7(4), added pars. (6) and (7). Former pars. (6) and (7) redesignated (8) and (9), respectively.
Enacted provision · exact public law section
(4) by inserting after paragraph (5) the following: “(6) to enable libraries to develop services that meet the needs of communities throughout the Nation, including people of diverse geographic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds, individuals with disabilities, residents of rural and urban areas, Native Americans, military families, veterans, and caregivers; “(7) to enable libraries to serve as anchor institutions to support community revitalization through enhancing and expanding the services and resources provided by libraries, including those services and resources relating to workforce development, economic and business development, critical thinking skills, health information, digital literacy skills, financial literacy and other types of literacy skills, and new and emerging technology;” ;
2018
Museum and Library Services Act of 2018
Pub. L. 115–410 § 7(3) · 132 Stat. 5412
1. Redesignated · 20 U.S.C. § 9121(8)
  Pub. L. 115–410, § 7(3), (5), redesignated par. (6) as (8)
2. Inserted · 20 U.S.C. § 9121(8)
  Pub. L. 115–410, § 7(3), (5), inserted “, including those from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds,” after “professionals”
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Par. (8). Pub. L. 115–410, § 7(3), (5), redesignated par. (6) as (8) and inserted “, including those from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds,” after “professionals”.
Enacted provision · exact public law section
(3) by redesignating paragraphs (6) through (9) as paragraphs (8) through (11), respectively;
2018
Museum and Library Services Act of 2018
Pub. L. 115–410 § 7(3) · 132 Stat. 5412
Redesignated · 20 U.S.C. § 9121(9)(11)
Pub. L. 115–410, § 7(3), redesignated pars. (7) to (9) as (9) to (11), respectively
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Pars. (9) to (11). Pub. L. 115–410, § 7(3), redesignated pars. (7) to (9) as (9) to (11), respectively.
Enacted provision · exact public law section
(3) by redesignating paragraphs (6) through (9) as paragraphs (8) through (11), respectively;
2018
Museum and Library Services Act of 2018
Pub. L. 115–410 § 7(6) · 132 Stat. 5412
Added · 20 U.S.C. § 9121(12)
Pub. L. 115–410, § 7(6)–(8), added par. (12)
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Par. (12). Pub. L. 115–410, § 7(6)–(8), added par. (12).
Enacted provision · exact public law section
(6) in paragraph (10), as redesignated by paragraph (3), by striking “and” after the semicolon;

14 of 15 references resolved to an enrolled provision · 1 partial

Editorial Notes

Amendments2003–2018 · 3 rounds

2018

Par. (1). Pub. L. 115–410, § 7(1), inserted “, education,” after “library”.

Par. (5). Pub. L. 115–410, § 7(2), added par. (5) and struck out former par. (5) which read as follows: “to promote literacy, education, and lifelong learning and to enhance and expand the services and resources provided by libraries, including those services and resources relating to workforce development, 21st century skills, and digital literacy skills;”.

Pars. (6), (7). Pub. L. 115–410, § 7(4), added pars. (6) and (7). Former pars. (6) and (7) redesignated (8) and (9), respectively.

Par. (8). Pub. L. 115–410, § 7(3), (5), redesignated par. (6) as (8) and inserted “, including those from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds,” after “professionals”.

Pars. (9) to (11). Pub. L. 115–410, § 7(3), redesignated pars. (7) to (9) as (9) to (11), respectively.

Par. (12). Pub. L. 115–410, § 7(6)–(8), added par. (12).

2010

Par. (1). Pub. L. 111–340, § 201(1), added par. (1) and struck out former par. (1) which read as follows: “to consolidate Federal library service programs;”.

Par. (2). Pub. L. 111–340, § 201(2), inserted “continuous” after “promote”.

Pars. (5) to (9). Pub. L. 111–340, § 201(3)–(5), added pars. (5) to (9).

2003

Pars. (2) to (5). Pub. L. 108–81 added pars. (2) to (4) and struck out former pars. (2) to (5) which read as follows:

“(2) to stimulate excellence and promote access to learning and information resources in all types of libraries for individuals of all ages;

“(3) to promote library services that provide all users access to information through State, regional, national and international electronic networks;

“(4) to provide linkages among and between libraries; and

“(5) to promote targeted library services to people of diverse geographic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds, to individuals with disabilities, and to people with limited functional literacy or information skills.”

Credits

1996–2018 · 4 acts

1996Pub. L. 94–462, title II, § 212, as added Pub. L. 104–208, div. A, title I, § 101(e) [title VII, § 702], Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–233, 3009–295
2003amended Pub. L. 108–81, title II, § 201, Sept. 25, 2003, 117 Stat. 997
2010Pub. L. 111–340, title II, § 201, Dec. 22, 2010, 124 Stat. 3599
2018Pub. L. 115–410, § 7, Dec. 31, 2018, 132 Stat. 5415.

Show as published

(Pub. L. 94–462, title II, § 212, as added Pub. L. 104–208, div. A, title I, § 101(e) [title VII, § 702], Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–233, 3009–295; amended Pub. L. 108–81, title II, § 201, Sept. 25, 2003, 117 Stat. 997; Pub. L. 111–340, title II, § 201, Dec. 22, 2010, 124 Stat. 3599; Pub. L. 115–410, § 7, Dec. 31, 2018, 132 Stat. 5415.)