April 5, 1943
Dear Dr. Gregg
Following preliminary conversations ten days ago, we are now presenting  a request for $20,000 for a comprehensive survey of the Army Medical Library by the American Library Association.
Enclosed is copy of a letter from Colonel Harold W. Jones, Librarian of the Army Medical Library, in which he transmits the Surgeon-General's request for the survey and outlines the plans. The sections on Purpose and Scope, and on Procedure are the result of conversations and correspondence during the past two or three months and have been approved by representatives of the American Library Association as well as by Colonel Jones and his associates.
The Director would be chosen by the A.L.A. He should be a librarian skilled in administration and with some experience in research and survey work. He should have a well-established professional reputation, objectivity and sound judgment. He need not be a medical librarian.
The survey staff should be chosen by the Director with the advice of the President and Executive Secretary of the A.L.A. Preference would probably be given to persons with medical library backgrounds and some research or survey experience. Each member of the staff might be chosen because of his or her qualifications for dealing with a group of activities, services, or problems.
There should be associated with the survey a group of advisers or consultants, men who stand high in the medical field, and especially in medical research. Two or three of this group might be consulted frequently. A larger and more representative group might be called in once or twice to advise on the major problems and recommendations.
The following budget is suggested:
Director (6 months, part time) - $3,000.00
Four Investigators
3 months full time, $500 per month - 6,000.00
3 months part time, $100 per month - 1,200.00
Stenographic Service - 2,000.00
Travel and subsistence for Survey Staff - 2,000.00
Travel for Consultants - 1,500.00
Supplies - 300.00
Publication and distribution of report - 2,500.00
A.L.A. for accounting and other direct costs - 500.00
Contingent - 1,000.00
Total - $20,000.00
We hope that the grant can be made in such a way as to allow reasonable flexibility in the procedures and in the use of funds.
Sincerely yours,
Keyes D. Metcalf, President
Carl H. Milam, Executive Secretary