November 1, 1995

Press contact: Guy Lamolinara, Library of Congress (202) 707-9217
Stephen O'Keeffe, Stackig Public Relations, for Kodak (703) 734-3300

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Eastman Kodak Donates $1 Million to Library of Congress National Digital Library Program

During a news conference today at the 1995 Federal Imaging Conference in Washington, Eastman Kodak Co. CEO George Fisher presented a letter committing to the first installment of a $1 million gift to the Library of Congress's National Digital Library (NDL) Program. The NDL Program aims, in collaboration with other institutions, to digitize 5 million items by the year 2000 and make them freely available over the Internet.

"The Library is grateful to George Fisher and Eastman Kodak for their support of the National Digital Library Program," said the Librarian of Congress, James H. Billington. "Kodak, a leader in electronic imaging technology, today demonstrates its commitment to the program through its generous gift."

"We applaud the Library of Congress's National Digital Library Program, which will make some of the nation's greatest treasures readily available to citizens of America. It is a privilege for Kodak to participate and support this project," said Chairman, President and CEO George Fisher. "As a U.S. citizen and as someone who has come to understand the power of technology in delivering information and knowledge, I am excited by the prospects of a National Digital Library."

During the news conference, Bob Zich, the Library's Director of Electronic Programs, narrated a demonstration of the NDL Program. The Library participated in the Federal Imaging Conference as an exhibitor, and a Library employee served as the conference's chairman. The Library's World Wide Web site can be accessed at http://www.loc.gov.

Private sector contributions to the NDL Program, including Kodak's, now exceed $19 million. The program, which began in October 1994, has a goal of $45 million in private contributions by the year 2000. The Library has requested an additional $15 million in appropriated funds to reach its overall goal of $60 million for the NDL Program by 2000, the 200th anniversary of the Library of Congress.

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PR 95-148
11/1/95
ISSN 0731-3527