In 1966 the General Assembly created the Virginia Cultural Development Study Commission, and directed it to study Virginia's cultural and artistic development, appraise the State's existing assets and future requirements, and report to the 1968 General Assembly.

One of the subjects discussed in the Commission's report was the State public library system. The Commission found that the State's investment in libraries was far lower than that of other states, and that the statutes upon which the State grants were based were very much out of date. The Commission concluded that the State should revise its library laws, encourage regional library systems, and make some provision to rectify the shortage of certified librarians.

The Commission stated:

"It is the Commission's belief that State support of public libraries is uneven in distribution and grossly inadequate in amount to meet the needs of the citizens of Virginia.

The Commission feels the present State laws pertaining to public libraries are inequitable and need revision. It, therefore, recommends that the Virginia Advisory Legislative Council be directed to review these laws and report to the Governor and the 1970 General Assembly."

As a result of the Commission's report, the General Assembly directed the Council to make a study of the State library laws through the passage of House Joint Resolution 98.

The Council selected Tom Frost of Warrenton, member of the House of Delegates and member of the ·Council, as Chairman of the Committee to make the initial study and report to it. Selected to serve with Mr. Frost were: Stanley G. Bryan, member of the House of Delegates, Chesapeake; Adelard L. Brault, member of the Senate, Fairfax; Edwin Cox, former chairman of the State Library Board, Aylett; C. P. Hazzard, principal of William C. Taylor High School, Warrenton; Mary Marshall, member of the House of Delegates, Arlington; Jane Nida, Director of Libraries, Arlington; and Glenn Yates, member of the House of Delegates, Portsmouth.

The Committee met and elected Senator Brault as Vice-Chairman. After the death of Mr. Frost in September of 1969, the Council appointed Senator Robert Fitzgerald, of Fairfax, Chairman of the Committee. Sally Warthen acted as recording secretary and staff.