World Digital Library: a case study

World Digital Library : 

World Digital Library a case study By Sarah Lund-Goldstein Digital Libraries, Fall 2009

www.wdl.org : 

Splash page for initial patrons to the digital library. www.wdl.org

Search : 

In this case, ‘North America’ was chosen to narrow the search process. Search

Search : 

Next, the institution “The National Library of Brazil” was chosen to further narrow the search. Two items were returned are displayed now as choices. Search

Item View : 

Once an item is selected, multiple views are available as well as a short description. Items may also be shared using Web 2.0 abilities. Item View

About the WDL… : 

Proposed by U.S. Librarian of Congress James H. Billington in a speech to UNESCO in June 2005 at Georgetown University. About the WDL… “We will go as far as we can. The danger we all face is a clash of civilizations. This is the old dream of better international understanding. The dream is that this could make a contribution, particularly among young people brought up in the multimedia age." -Dr. James H. Billington Librarian of Congress

Predecessor Projects: American Memory : 

The American Memory Project boasts more than 100 digitized collections from the LOC and across the country that are representative of many facets of American History – from Advertisements to Presidents, and Architecture to Sports. Predecessor Projects: American Memory

Predecessor Projects: Meeting of Frontiers : 

A joint project between the LOC and Russian libraries and archives, it provides a bilingual exploration of the similarities and shared history of Alaska and Siberia. Predecessor Projects: Meeting of Frontiers

Partner Organizations : 

Allama Iqbal Library, University of Kashmir Bavarian State Library Bibliotheca Alexandrina Brown University Library Center for the Study of the History of Mexico CARSO Central Library of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences Central Library, Qatar Foundation Columbus Memorial Library, Organization of American States Foundation New Era Nicaragua Government College University Lahore International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) Iraqi National Library and Archives John Carter Brown Library King Abdullah University of Science and Technology Library of Congress Mamma Haidara Commemorative Library National Academic Library of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Astana National Archives and Records Administration National Central Library National Diet Library National Institute of Anthropology and History INAH National Library and Archives of Egypt National Library of Belarus National Library of Brazil National Library of Chile National Library of China National Library of Finland National Library of France National Library of Israel National Library of Kazakhstan National Library of the Netherlands National Library of Russia National Library of Serbia National Library of Sweden National Library of Uganda Royal Netherlands Institute of Southeast Asian and the Caribbean Studies KITLV Russian State Library St. Mark Coptic Library State Library of South Australia Tetouan-Asmir Association United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) University Library in Bratislava University of Pretoria Library University of South Carolina Vilnius University Library Walters Art Museum Wellcome Library Yale University Library Yeltsin Presidential Library Partner Organizations

Financial Support : 

Google, Inc., for $3 million for the initial development of a WDL plan and the WDL prototype. The Qatar Foundation, for $3 million in general support for the WDL, and to support the development of the Central Library of the Qatar Foundation as a key node in the WDL network. The Carnegie Corporation of New York, for $2 million to support the inclusion of cultural institutions from sub-Saharan Africa and Eurasia in the WDL. The King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Saudi Arabia, for $1 million to support activities relating to the dissemination, through the WDL, of digital versions of manuscripts and other materials relating to science in the Arab and Islamic worlds. Microsoft, Inc., for $1 million in general support. The Lawrence and Mary Anne Tucker Foundation to support the establishment of a digital conversion center at the Iraqi National Library and Archives. The Bridges of Understanding Foundation for the development of Middle East-related content for inclusion in the WDL. Financial Support

References : 

SOURCE WEBSITE: World Digital Library, www.wdl.org YouTube – World Digital Library Promotional Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhBYGI6Tfzo   These articles and links were helpful in my research of this Digital Library:   David A. Vise, “World Digital Library Planned: Library of Congress Envisions Collection To Bridge Cultures,” Washington Post, November 22, 2005 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/21/AR2005112101428.html   Laura Campbell, John Van Oudenaren, “The Library of Congress World Digital Library Initiative”. http://www.sis.pitt.edu/~egyptdlw/papers/Laura%20Campbell.html   John Van Oudenaren, “The World Digital Library and Social Sciences”, IFLA, August 2009, http://www.ifla.org/files/hq/papers/ifla75/217-oudenaren-en.pdf   Gary Price, “World Digital Library Project Announces, backed by Library of Congress & Google” Search Engine Watch, Nov. 22, 2005 http://searchenginewatch.com/3565881 References