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Library of Congress head: talking books funds sufficient |
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By Kelly McCormack
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Posted: 06/26/07 07:09 PM [ET] |
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.
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