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

[David Andrews]

>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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