State Librarian Kendall Wiggin, one of five state librarians representing the Chief Officers of State Library Agencies (COSLA), participated in an December 11 "Conversation with Diane Frankel, Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services," with representatives from the American Library Association (ALA) and the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science. The meeting was held at the Library of Congress and was designed to give all three groups, and Ms. Frankel, an opportunity to build a positive working relationship for the future, as well as, to provide Ms. Frankel with background information to aid her as she assumes responsibility for leadership of the new Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA).

Much of the day's discussion centered around core values, institutional missions, inclusion and accessibility, and the technological impact on all of these issues. Mr. Wiggin felt that the meeting was productive and a positive first step in introducing Ms. Frankel to the many ideas and issues that surround the creation of the Institute of Museum and Library Services. As a result of the meeting, Mr. Wiggin is confident that moving the Library Services and Technology Act program from the Department of Education to the new Institute will be beneficial to libraries. He also believes that Ms. Frankel will be a strong voice for libraries at the federal level. The New Hampshire State Library Advisory Council has already begun work on developing a new 5-year plan for implementing the new Library Services and Technology Act. Funding for programs under the new act is expected to begin on October 1 of this year.