[Dtb-talk] FNLS Program

[David Andrews]

>From: Paula Achter
>To: NFB of Idaho Discussion List ; Sue Walker ; Russell Smith
>Sent: Tuesday, March 27, 2007 8:48 AM
>Subject: [Nfb-idaho] Fw: What Is Happening
>
>
>
>Hi Paula,
>
>   The talking book program is facing some very dangerous times at the 
>moment.  As you may know the Library of Congress, and the National 
>Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped have been 
>working to upgrade the talking books program to a digital format.  This 
>upgrade will cost $76,000,000 over the next four years.  It seems that 
>some members of the Congress have some concerns about appropriating 
>funding for the needed upgrade.  They say that the new player is of a 
>proprietary nature.  They seem to believe that they Library of Congress 
>could save more money by buying existing technology, not taking in to 
>account that many seniors, a majority of the users of this talking books 
>program, may have problems identifying the different buttons to operate 
>such equipment.  Also the Library's player is designed to last for a 
>long period of time; the last time this program was upgraded was forty 
>years ago.  Longevity is another problem with buying existing products, 
>as many will be obsolete within the next ten years do to rapid increases 
>in technology.  Last Thursday the House Legislative Branch Appropriation 
>subcommittee held a hearing for the Library of Congress's appropriation 
>requests for FY 2008.  The Library of Congress listed the NLS upgrade as 
>a priority issue in their presentation, but the Chairwoman of the 
>committee asked further questions about the program.  In short we have 
>some work ahead of us to protect the program.  The Chairwoman of the 
>committee, I believe is willing to work with us to ensure that everyone 
>has correct information about the program.  Her staff has always 
>responded to my emails on this subject and others in the past.  The next 
>step on this subject will take place on April 13, when the Senate 
>Legislative Branch Appropriation Subcommittee will hold its hearing for 
>the Library.  We have a very good relationship with the Senate Chair of 
>this subcommittee, and should be able to work well to ensure that 
>funding will be provided.  After this the House will hold a public 
>hearing on the Library, and we are working to ensure that we are allowed 
>to testify at that hearing.  This is the best information I can offer 
>you at this time, and I hope that it helped.  Please contact me if you 
>have any other questions.  Jesse
>
>Jesse Hartle
>National Federation of the Blind
>Government Programs Specialist
>Phone: 410-659-9314 Ext. 2233
>Email: jhartle at nfb.org
>
>
>
>
>
>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>From: Paula Achter [mailto:pbachter at msn.com]
>Sent: Monday, March 26, 2007 10:30 PM
>To: Hartle, Jesse
>Subject: What Is Happening
>
>
>Jessie:
>
>I received an e-mail the other day regarding funding of digital books 
>for NLS. Do you know if the funding is in trouble?
>
>I'd appreciate it if you would clear up some confusion we are having 
>here in Idaho.
>
>Thank you,
>
>Paula Achter, President
>NFB of Idaho