Dr. Billington on Jan. 25 asked Congress for budget authority of $364.4 million in fiscal 1994 to continue the attack on arrearages, strengthen the collections' security, and modernize financial management and human resources operations.
The request represents a total budget increase of $30 million, or 9 percent, over current levels.
Of the $30 million, 71 percent (or $21.4 million), as Dr. Billington pointed out, is "required simply to fund mandatory pay and price level increases."
During a four-hour hearing in room H-302 of the Capitol, Dr. Billington and other LC officials, using charts and a video demonstration of LC technology, summarized the Library's general Strategic Plan (1993-2000) and key elements of the proposed fiscal 1994 budget.
Presiding was Rep. Vic Fazio (D-Calif.), chairman of the House Subcommittee on Legislative Branch Appropriations. He noted the strong budgetary pressures on Congress and the reality that the Library competes for dollars with others within the legislative branch. But he promised that his committee would do its best for the Library. (The Library's request is slated for Senate committee hearings next month.)
In brief, Dr. Billington said, the strategic plan (submitted to the Fazio panel Dec. 15) focuses initially on "overcoming the backlog of uncataloged materials, strengthening core services and improving in-house efficiency, while preparing for the dissemination of the Library's key collections to the Congress, the nation electronically through new networks and joint ventures."
The proposed FY 1994 budget includes the following requests for new funds:
- $2.17 million to expand the collections security program,
- Almost $2 million to modernize various operations in Collections Services,
- $1.7 million to purchase and implement a new integrated financial management system,
- $534,000 (including 19 positions) to maintain the already reduced hours in some reading rooms,
- $473,000 to fund nine new positions and $612,000 to fund 12 existing positions in Human Resources.
(The text of Dr. Billington's statement appears here.)
