NCLIS Mission

The U.S. National Commission on Libraries and Information Science (NCLIS) is a permanent, independent agency of the federal government charged with advising the executive and legislative branches and other public and private organizations on national library and information policies and plans.

It was established in 1970 with the enactment of Public Law 91-345. Technical amendments in 1991 (Public Law 102-95) clarified terms of membership and the Commission's international authority and responsibility. The Museum and Library Services Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-208) established that the Commission shall have the responsibility to advise the Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) on general policies with respect to the duties, powers and authority of the IMLS relating to library services.

The Commission

reports directly to the White House and the Congress on the implementation of national policy,
conducts studies, surveys and analyses of the nation's library and information needs,
promotes research and development activities,
conducts hearings and issues publications as appropriate
develops overall plans for meeting national library and informational needs and for the coordination of activities at the federal, state and local levels and
provides policy advice to IMLS Director regarding financial assistance for library services.

The NCLIS logotype is an abstract representation of the Commission's goal of "equal opportunity of access to information" for all citizens through interconnecting services and a central control core of information. The logo has been updated to commemorate the Commission's 30th Anniversary.