The National Commission on Libraries and Information Science (NCLIS):

(a) Advises the President and the Congress on library and information services adequate to meet the needs of the people of the United States;

(b) Advises Federal, State, and local governments, and other public and private organizations regarding library services and information science, including consultations on relevant treaties, international agreements, and implementing legislation; and

(c) Promotes research and development activities to extend and improve the nation's library and information handling capabilities as essential links in national and international networks.

The Commission's functions include the following:

(a) Developing and recommending overall plans for library and information services adequate to meet the needs of the people of the United States;

(b) Coordinating, at the Federal, State and local levels, implementation of the plans referred to in paragraph (a) of this section and related activities;

(c) Conducting studies, surveys and analyses of, and hearings on, the library and informational needs of the Nation, including the special needs of rural areas, economically, socially or culturally deprived persons and the elderly;

(d) Evaluating the means by which the needs referred to in paragraph (c) of this section may be met through the establishment or improvement of information centers and libraries;

(e) Appraising the adequacies and deficiencies of current library and information resources and services; and

(f) Evaluating current library and information science programs.

(a) The Commission is composed of the Librarian of Congress, the Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (who serves as an ex officio, nonvoting member), and 14 members appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.

(b) The President designates one of the members of the Commission as the Chairperson.

(a) To facilitate its work, the Commission from time to time delegates to the Chairperson various duties and responsibilities.

(b) The Commission records formal delegation of the duties and responsibilities referred to in paragraph (a) of this section in resolutions and in the minutes of its meetings.

(c) The Chairperson may delegate the duties and responsibilities referred to in paragraph (a) of this section, as necessary, to other Commissioners or the Executive Director of the Commission.

(a) The Executive Director serves as the administrative and technical head of the Commission staff, directly responsible for managing its day-to-day operations and assuring that Commission operations conform to all applicable Federal laws.

(b) The Executive Director is directly responsible to the Commission, works under the general direction of the Chairperson, and assists the Chairperson in carrying out the Commission's organizational and administrative responsibilities.

(c) The Executive Director acts as the principal staff advisor to the Chairperson and Commissioners, participating with the Commissioners in the development, recommendation and implementation of overall plans and policies to achieve the Commission's goals.

(d) To facilitate its work, the Commission from time to time delegates to the Executive Director various duties and responsibilities.

(e) The Commission records formal delegation of the duties and responsibilities referred to in paragraph (d) of this section in resolutions and in the minutes of its meetings.

(f) The Executive Director may delegate the duties and responsibilities referred to in paragraph (d) of this section, as necessary, to other members of the Commission staff.