So, how are we paying for this?

For a project as vast and ambitious as the Digital Public Library, a workable business model and funding plan is critical, in order to be sustainable in the long-term.

At this point in time, the DPLA is not developed enough in forming its identity, objectives, and scope. These aspects must be established in order to be able to put together a concrete budget or business plan; see the notes from a Business Workshop in March 2012. 

What we DO know:

• So far, the DPLA has received at least $16 million since 2008, in the form of grants, donations from foundations, and other private sources. Some of the foundations include the Mellon Foundation, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Soros Foundation.
• One of the current goals is to have a Board of Directors by September 2012, followed shortly thereafter by the creation of the DPLA as an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. At that point, the DPLA intents to set an initial budget, among other various goals.
• The DPLA expects and somewhat prefers to receive financial support from private funding sources, at least initially, as the DPLA will be entirely independent of the U.S. Government. However, the IMLS (Institute of Museum and Library Services) has also made grants to projects connected to the DPLA, and the DPLA suggests that when it is more established it might be in the interest of Congress to support "this public good."

Sources and For Further Reading:

http://dp.la/wiki/Financial/Business_Models
http://dp.la/workstreams/finance/
http://dp.la/files/2012/07/SCNominatingCommitteeCallNotes_7-23-12.pdf
http://www.technologyreview.com/featured-story/427628/the-library-of-utopia/
http://www.pro.europeana.eu/web/guest/about/funders-sponsors