The World Digital Library

A quick link to an item about The World Digital Library. Modelled after the US Library of Congress’ American Memory Project, the World Digital Library will be free, multilingual and provide online access to rare archival material.

Reporters in Paris got a peek Wednesday at a prototype for the World Digital Library, an online initiative by the U.S. Library of Congress, the U.N. cultural body UNESCO and international partner libraries. Officials are aiming for a 2008 launch of the online site…

The international digital library will be free and multilingual, with contributions from around the world, including rare books, films, prints, sound recordings and musical scores.

The project also has the support of libraries and technology companies including Google, Apple and Intel. Interestingly, the article suggests that “Apple Inc. employees brought along mobile devices for demonstrations.” Vague enough for those hoping for a electronic reading tablet from their favourite fruit company.