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

[David Andrews]

The article on the site is the same as the text that was in the original message, and the message below.

Dave

At 02:55 PM 6/28/2007, you wrote:
>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
>: >
>: >
>: >
>: >__________ NOD32 2359 (20070627) Information __________
>: >
>: >This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system.
>: >http://www.eset.com
>:
>: _______________________________________________
>: Dtb-talk mailing list
>: Dtb-talk at nfbnet.org
>: http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/dtb-talk
>:
>:
>: -- 
>: No virus found in this incoming message.
>: Checked by AVG Free Edition.
>: Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.9.10/873 - Release Date: 6/26/2007 
>11:54 PM
>: 
>
>_______________________________________________
>Dtb-talk mailing list
>Dtb-talk at nfbnet.org
>http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/dtb-talk
>
>
>__________ NOD32 2362 (20070628) Information __________
>
>This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system.
>http://www.eset.com