Digital Libraries, Archives, and Rights Registries

The rise of ebooks has not only changed the way we read but also the way we disseminate and access texts. Revolutions in electronic texts and digital media have created a need for new digital archives, and various initiatives have begun to consolidate, organize and share some of the internet's vast store of knowledge.

Europeana has aggregated much of the digital collections from European museums, archives and libraries, providing first-hand access to Europe's cultural history. The Internet Archive provides not only texts and other media, but also snapshots of the internet at different points in its history. These and many other digital library efforts are redefining traditional notions of the library and bringing accessible structure to the expansive collections available online.

In December 2010, the Berkman Center launched the Digital Public Library of America planning initiative with generous support from the Alfred P. Sloan foundation. The ambitious project recently concluded its Beta Sprint, a public solicitation for ideas, designs and tools for the DPLA.

For more information, visit the DPLA Wiki!