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World Digital Library Initiative Factsheet
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Background
The project for a World Digital Library was proposed by Librarian of Congress James H. Billington in a speech to U.S. National Commission for UNESCO in Washington in June 2005. The project will aim to build upon the experience of the Library of Congress and of other national libraries and cultural institutions around the world to create a large repository of significant primary materials representing cultures from across the globe.
Content and Presentation
The project will focus on digitizing unique and rare material, including manuscripts, maps, rare books, musical scores, sound recordings, films, prints and photographs, architectural drawings, and other materials. Most of the material will be older and free of copyright restrictions. Permissions will be sought for material still under copyright.
Content will be grouped by format and contributing institution. Explanatory material and bibliographic records will provide access in several languages.
Partners
Partners will include national libraries, other libraries, archives, museums with print and manuscript collections, historical societies, and other cultural institutions.
The Planning Process
The Library of Congress has initiated a two-year planning process to develop a comprehensive plan for the creation of the World Digital Library. Topics being addressed in the planning process include: architecture (where will images be stored; what digitization and metadata standards will be used; how will images be presented and made searchable); selection (what materials will be selected, how and by whom); governance (what institution or institutions will manage the World Digital Library); and funding (how will the creation and maintenance of the World Digital Library be funded; by whom). Participants in the planning process will include national libraries, UNESCO, IFLA, and the private sector. Initial funding for the planning process is being provided by Google, Inc.
Contact
Dr. John Van Oudenaren
Senior Advisor
World Digital Library Initiative
Library of Congress
September, 2006
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