Introduction.

In September 1987 the California State Legislature passed Senate Concurrent Resolution 43. It calls for the University of California to develop a Latino Agenda. The Legislature requested that the University catalogue its resources on the Latino experience. As part of the University's response the Chair of the Executive Committee requested that a working group of library and information specialists be brought together to ex-amine the information resources of the University of California and make recommendations which would strengthen the research base for the developing Latino Agenda. On February 23, 1988 library and information specialists met at UCLA to discuss the status of Latinos and academic libraries, library education, and the use of human resources in the University of California system (UC). The group had representatives from the majority of the UC campuses, including Chicano collection librarians, the State Librarian, an associate dean from a library school, one county librarian, one librarian from a private university, the president of the Librarians Association of the University of California, several public librarians, and faculty.

This report proposes a comprehensive program which addresses statewide information needs for a Latino Agenda. This comprehensive program addresses critical areas which should be identified as priorities for the University of California in the development of new policies and programs devoted to Latinos. The areas are: 1) Collection Development, 2) Latino Databases 3) Human Resources, and 4) Networking. As a means of addressing these critical needs we propose a Latino Information System and a Latino module in UCLA's emerging teaching libraries effort. A general premise which runs through this program is that we should build on existing efforts and mechanisms in order to establish the best information system on Latinos. The significance of academic libraries and library education in California's system of higher education, particularly at the University level is undeniable. Without adequate collections of pertinent resources, without effective access and delivery systems of knowledge, and accompanying competent personnel, instruction, research, and community service at the University of California would be impossible. However new visions and programs have generated much enthusiasm and new possibilities.