Concept Note - Digital Library of America Project

Use the link above to access the DPLA Concept Note page of the DPLA Wiki. The Concept Note is current through March 2012 and opens with the following statement: “The Digital Public Library of America (DPLA) will make the cultural and scientific heritage of humanity available, free of charge, to all. The DPLA’s primary focus is on making available materials from the United States. By adhering to the fundamental principle of free and universal access to knowledge, it will promote education in the broadest sense of the term. That is, it will function as an online library for students of all ages, from grades K-12 to postdoctoral researchers and anyone seeking self-instruction; it will be a deep resource for community colleges, vocational schools, colleges, universities, and adult education programs; it will supplement the services of public libraries in every corner of the country; and it will satisfy other needs as well—the need for data related to employment, for practical information of all kinds, and for enrichment in the use of leisure.” Information, current thinking, and status updates are also provided for the following topics: community engagement, content and scope, technological architecture, metadata, access, digitization, storage and preservation, administration and governance, leadership, incubation, funding, and expectations for the formal launch.