[nfbwatlk] NLS funding hearing

[Carl Jarvis]

NLS FUNDING HEARING

On Wednesday afternoon the Appropriations Subcommittee on the Legislative
Branch held a hearing regarding the Library of Congress's budget for 2009.
The subject of the NLS Digital Talking Book Program was raised by the Chair
of the subcommittee Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA). She said that funding this
program appropriately was one of her priorities.

The requested funding level for the program  is $12.5 million. The LOC said
that they are prepared to complete the program in six years with out too
much restriction in service. This is simply not good enough.

When this program was started the agreement was that it would be completed
in four years at annual funding levels of $19.1 million. Please call the
members of the subcommittee and let them know that this program is very
important to us and that having access to information restricted in any
small way  is not acceptable.



Call the Capitol switchboard at: 202-224-3121

Democratic Subcommittee Members:

Senator Mary Landrieu (LA) (Chairman)

Senator Richard Durbin (IL)

Senator Ben Nelson (NE)



Republican Subcommittee Members:

Senator Lamar Alexander (TN) (Ranking Member)

Senator Wayne Allard (CO)