NDIIPP Legislation
In December of 2000 Congress passed legislation (Public Law 106-554) in recognition of the importance of preserving born digital content for future generations, appropriating $100 million to the Library of Congress for leading this effort.
The legislation calls for the Library to develop a plan for digital preservation with other federal agencies (National Archives and Records Administration, White House, Commerce) and with research, library and archival institutions as well as private organizations involved in creating and distributing digital information (publishers, the new Internet creator community, the technical community).
The following are excerpts from the Conference Report (H. Rept. 106-1033) outlining congressional requirements for this program:
Program
Establishment
"…to establish a national digital information and infrastructure and preservation program."
Purpose
"This program is a major undertaking to develop standards and a nationwide collection strategy to build a national repository of digital materials.
"The information and technology industry that has created this new medium should be a contributing partner in addressing digital access and preservation issues inherent in the new digital information environment."
Plan
Requirement
"The Library is required to develop a phased implementation plan for this program…"
Approvals
"After consultation with the Joint Committee on the Library…the Library shall seek approval of the program plan from the Committee on House Administration, the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate, and the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate."
Content
"The overall plan should set forth a strategy for the Library of Congress, in collaboration with other Federal and non-Federal entities, to identify a national network of libraries and other organizations with responsibilities for collecting digital materials that will provide access to and maintain those materials.
"In addition to developing this strategy, the plan shall set forth, in concert with the Copyright Office, the policies, protocols, and strategies for the long-term preservation of such materials, including the technological infrastructure required at the Library of Congress."
Development
"…jointly with Federal entities with expertise in telecommunications, technology and electronic commerce policy
"and with the participation of other Federal and non-Federal entities." (emphasis added)