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Funding and governance of library and information services for visually impaired people: international case studies

Part2:Country studies

USA

Funding sources and adequacy

There is no figure for total expenditure by all the agencies involved. NLS funding data is given below.

NLS

National or Federal Government (Library of Congress) 50%

State or provincial government 35%

Local or municipal government 15%

Total funding

Fifty million from the federal government, matched by another fifty million from state and local governments.

Funding has been fairly flat over the last few years, but is reasonably adequate.

Other agencies

Services provided by the third sector organisations are funded by donation and revenue raised from contracted conversion services etc. plus some government grants.

Funding is provided for school services and tertiary education through state governments, and from private university funds.