[Dtb-talk] Librarian of Congress on NLS Digital Book Shortfall

[Lynn Evans]

Hello David:

I would like to read the article you referred to but was unable to find it 
on the site when I checked it today. Could . you provide a more concise 
link?

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "David Andrews" <dandrews at visi.com>
To: <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>; <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>; <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>; 
<dtb-talk at nfbnet.org>; <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>; <nosb at nfbnet.org>; 
<rehab at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, June 27, 2007 9:20 PM
Subject: [Dtb-talk] Librarian of Congress on NLS Digital Book Shortfall


:
: >This was published on a web site www.thehill.com
:
:
: It feels like Billington has sold us down the river, and if the GAO report 
is right, wouldn't it point to mis-management on his part as he is over NLS 
and either knew what they were doing or should of.
:
: David Andrews
:
:
:
: >Library of Congress head: talking books funds sufficient
: >By Kelly McCormack
: >June 26, 2007
: >The head of the Library of Congress, James Billington, recently
: >told a key appropriator that funding for a program for the blind and
: >visually impaired,
: >which fell about $7 million short of his original request, was
: >sufficient.
: >
: >The Library of Congress originally requested $19.1 million for a
: >talking-book program, which would transition to digital from analog
: >technology. But Billington
: >said he was satisfied with the funding level allocated in the
: >spending bill.
: >
: >"At the House funding level of $12.5 million, we can begin the
: >additional work as outlined by the [Government Accountability Office
: >(GAO)] report and make
: >significant strides towards achieving the goals of converting
: >cassettes to digital books," Billington wrote to Rep. Debbie
: >Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) in
: >a June 21 letter.
: >
: >A June 7 GAO report raised questions about the program, saying that
: >the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically
: >Handicapped (NLS) should
: >analyze alternatives to the program, consider the use of commercial
: >products, analyze initial acquisition costs and contemplate
: >different distribution
: >methods. Billington said he agreed with many of the GAO's
: >findings.
: >
: >The legislative branch panel, which Wasserman Schultz heads,
: >originally appropriated $7.5 million for the program.
: >During a full committee markup, appropriators passed language
: >increasing funds to $12.5 million.
: >
: >The Senate bill also included $12.5 million for the program.
: >
: >During a Senate Appropriations Committee legislative branch markup,
: >Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) spoke highly of the talking-book program,
: >calling it the
: >"best opportunity of the visually impaired."
: >
: >Following the hearing, Landrieu spoke to supporters of the program,
: >telling them she would work to secure additional funding.
: >
: >"We're short $6 million?" Landrieu asked. "Let me see what
: >I can do. [Let me see] what we can do to increase our funding."
: >Billington told Wasserman Schultz that he hopes to receive $15
: >million over the next five years.
: >
: >"We appreciate the support the committees have shown regarding
: >the Digital Talking Book Program. Our great hope is that we can
: >receive $15 million over
: >five years," Billington wrote.
: >
: >
: >
: >David Andrews
: >Chief Technology Officer
: >Minnesota State Services for the Blind
: >2200 University Ave. W., #240
: >St. Paul, MN  55114-1840
: >(651) 642-0513  Office
: >(612) 730-7931  Cell
: >(651) 649-5927  Fax
: >
: >
: >
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: >
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: >http://www.eset.com
:
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