24 April 2003

 RE: Advice and suggestions needed for Digital Promise report


 As you may know, in 2001, NHA endorsed the Digital Promise campaign
 aimed at using some of the money gained from the sale of broadcast
 frequencies to a fund for research and programs in uses of technology
 in education.  A legislative success could produce literally billions
 of dollars of support for a broad range of activities.

 Somewhat to my surprise, Congress appropriated $750,000 to the
 Federation of American Scientists to develop a research and
 development roadmap for implementation of the Digital Promise program.

 I will be meeting soon with Larry Grossman and Anne Murphy (The
 tireless duo pursuing the DP in Congress) in connection with planning
 a report to Congress that will "1) identify priorities and
 opportunities related to the development, use, and widespread
 deployment of advanced information and telecommunications
 technologies; 2) identify innovative strategies for making these
 technologies available to American homes, schools, universities,
 museums, libraries, training centers, and other places of learning;
 and 3) identify possible barriers to the development, use, and
 widespread deployment of these innovations."

 In coming weeks, NHA will be developing a short white paper-like
 report that addresses the three questions above.  It will be very
 helpful if NHA members can provide contacts (and information, if
 available) with individual members who may be able to provide
 suggestions on any of the three questions above.  Please do not limit
 to your own members if you have knowledge of others who could
 contribute ideas.  Despite contrary predictions, humanities scholars
 and others working in the humanities have taken considerable advantage
 of new technologies.  Inclusion of humanities priorities,
 opportunities, innovative strategies and so forth in the DP report may
 lead to considerable new resources for our community.

 Please e-mail, fax (202/872-0884) or telephone me with information,
 suggestions, questions on this issue.  There is some urgency since, I
 believe, the final report will be due in September (and NHA's by the
 end of May).  Thanks in advance for your help on this issue