By GUY LAMOLINARA
The virtual reality of the National Digital Library (NDL) Program is bringing together giants of telecommunications both past and present.
On Feb. 10, the AT&T Foundation donated $3.5 million to the NDL Program to support continuation of this initiative to bring rare and important materials to citizens everywhere. A portion of the grant, the largest corporate donation to the NDL Program, will provide for the digitization of the Alexander Graham Bell (1847-1922) and Samuel F.B. Morse (1791-1872) collections.
"The unflagging support of the U.S. Congress, the greatest supporter of libraries in the history of the world, and the private sector, led by AT&T, are bringing the Library's prized collections of Bell and Morse to people everywhere," said Dr. Billington during a reception later that day.
The gift also allowed the Library — in a project spearheaded by the Development Office — to reach the NDL Program's goal of raising $45 million in private money as part of a 3-to-1 match of Congress's $15 million pledge to the program. The $60 million will fund the program through 2000.
"We are now one step closer to ensuring that the 21st century becomes the Knowledge Age and not just the Information Age," the Librarian continued in his remarks, delivered in the Great Hall before about 400 guests, including several members of Congress.
He was followed by Speaker of the House J. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.), who spoke about "the splendor of this building. But what we often do not see is the splendor of what is contained. What a wonderful opportunity for students and teachers to plug into the National Digital Library" Web site and see some of the important materials contained and preserved by LC.
Such lofty remarks were the order of the evening, as Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) spoke of how "someone once described libraries as a diary of the human race. There is no more complete diary than the Library of Congress. The Library's collections are an invaluable treasure not only to Congress but to America and the world." The senator also commented on how important the NDL Program is to citizens of rural areas such as his home state of South Dakota. "I can think of no better birthday present than the NDL as the Library prepares to celebrate its bicentennial in 2000," he added.
Another senator, Robert F. Bennett (R-Utah), chairman of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Subcommittee, said, "I always get a thrill when I enter this building. I am delighted Congress had the foresight to restore the Thomas Jefferson Building." Sen. Bennett acknowledged Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) and former Sen. Mark Hatfield (R-Ore.) for their support of the renovation project, which was completed in 1997.
From the President's Cabinet was Commerce Secretary William M. Daley, who spoke of the exponential growth of American creativity. The number of patents applied for has surged since the time of Bell. "As many patents are issued in a year [16 million] as were issued in the first 90 years of America."
Leo Hindery, president of Tele-Communications Inc., which plans on merging with AT&T, told of his experiences in a teaching program in Harlem and how the NDL Program "evens the playing field" by allowing all students to access select Library collections.
AT&T Chairman Mike Armstrong concluded the guest speakers' program by noting that his company is "so proud to be a part of this project."
Bob Zich, director of electronic programs, and Jeff Bridgers of the NDL Program then provided a "tour" of the American Memory Web site, including the Alexander Graham Bell collection, which already has 1,400 items available online. Also on hand were Manuscript Division curators Leonard Bruno and Marvin Kranz, who offered interpretations of selected Bell and Morse materials that were on display for guests.
An overview of the Bell and Morse collections will be published in a future issue.