Sigh

June is almost through, I have always been a bad journal keeper. It is one of my failings as a person that I lack follow through. I want a task to be over and done, no dragging it out, the process is not what I am after, I really do like instant gratification.

On to business.

The National Library Service is a branch of the Library of Congress and is responsible for the creation of books in alternate formats that are provided, free of charge, to people who have trouble reading books that are in stanard print. This dose not just mean blind people but those too with low vision, dyslexia, arthritus, those without the use of their hands.

About 10 years ago the NLS started planning what it was going to use for a new format instead of cassette tapes. We were not bowing to pressure to stop using cassette tapes because it was an older technology but with the advent of digital reproduction techniques it was evient that we could store the same amount of audio books in a much smaller space and produce recordings much more quickly.

A commitee was formed and within a few years decided on a new medium (flash memory) and then a new machine for playback. As with any federal agency, things moved slowly due to funding and having to get the nod from the various people that need to be consulted on such matters, but we got started.

Last year the legislature under funded the launch of the first phase of the project by 7 million dollars. This meant that we were adding at least 4 years to the roll out. This year we stand very much on the edge of something wonderful. The House Committee on Aproapriations has voted that the programs funding be raised to $34.5 million. Like any upgrade this will kind of infusion would not need to happen every year, just so this program can get off the ground.

For crying out loud people, we've used cassette tapes for over 30 years, I think we can be counted on not to give up on this new format over night. We will use the new Talking Book format for years to come, making the investment well worth it.

www.loc.gov/nls