The Real "Free" Library?

Brewster Kahle, creator of the Internet Archive and the Wayback Machine is one of the is apparently one of the masterminds behind the UNESCO digital library initiative reported below. Way to go, Brewster! The only question remains: will anyone be content reading books online?

I once read "Greystoke, the Legend of Tarzan" on a Palm Pilot (in full color, I should add), just to say I did it. Once was enough for me....

Competition b/t "Free" Digital Online Libraries Heats Up

This interesting article over at ZDNet points out a little known issue facing the "one world, one library – for free" idealists. Google and Microsoft's initiative for the online libraries, are a pretty good deal for the libraries whose materials they scan: it's free! However, the agreement limits the availability to their own services. OCA's digital initiative, on the other hand, costs libraries about $30 per book to scan, but without limitations.... Hmm, free, or not to free....

Apple, Intel and Google Aiding in the World Digital Library Initiative

According to AppleInsider.com, Apple is a major supporter of the World Digital Library, reported below. What's more, it apparently has a name after all....

Looks Like Google's Got Competition....

UNESCO, the Library of Congress, Bibliotheque Nationale, National Library of Brazil, Egypt's Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the National Library of Russia and Russian State Library have teamed up to an create online global library. James Billington, Librarian of Congress, has been instrumental in the creation of the digital library that appears to be, as yet unnamed.