A meeting of the James Madison Council, the Library's private sector advisory group, was held in Palm Beach, Fla., Feb. 19-21 and was the largest ever. Major issues facing the Library were addressed, and council Chairman John Kluge planned and hosted the event.
Attending the Madison Council's spring meeting were (from left): council Chairman John Kluge, Deputy Librarian Donald Scott, Edward Cox and Donald Jones. - Michael Davidoff Productions
The council's discussions focused on the National Digital Library (NDL) Program, the National Audiovisual Conservation Center and the Library's bicentennial in 2000 -- major initiatives that will require Madison Council support.
John Kluge, the Library's chief private-sector patron, issued a challenge, pledging up to $5 million in a $2 match for every $1 raised by the Library for the NDL Program. The Library's goal of $45 million in private funds for the $60 million project is in sight, but $2.5 million must still be raised to realize the full benefit of Mr. Kluge's offer.
The Madison Council's continued support of the NDL Program has enabled the Library to offer electronic versions of primary sources in American history.
The National Audiovisual Conservation Center, located on 41 acres 70 miles southwest of Washington, will consolidate the Library's preservation and storage efforts and will, in the future, allow public access to audiovisual materials via fiber optic cable.
Dr. Billington and James Earl Jones during the meeting. - Michael Davidoff Productions
Because the Library's bicentennial will be a national celebration of libraries, Madison Council members will serve as Library of Congress "ambassadors" in their local communities.
The council's treasurer, Leonard Silverstein, reported that since October 1, 1997, the beginning of fiscal 1998, Madison Council members have made gifts to the Library of $7.2 million, which represents 80 percent of all gifts to the Library in fiscal 1998. The council has now given to the Library gifts totaling more than $48.6 million.
The James Madison Council will meet again on Oct. 15-16 at the Library. The fall meeting will be held in conjunction with the opening of the major exhibition "Sigmund Freud: Conflict and Culture."
