Library Tech Confidential

Library of Congress Loves Video Games [Kotaku] : “According to The Library of Congress, video games are just as important to our historical past as literature, movies and music. And at the moment, the LoC is teaming up with major universities across the country to begin a 2-year initiative [to determine] how institutions can preserve video games for years to come, while making the content accessible for use and study.”

I hope this picks up steam, because a not-so-distant future where you can’t play Commander Keen (which is still available for download from the publisher) would be awfully depressing.

Library of Congress Advances 2 Digital Projects Abroad [New York Times] : “The world library started two years ago with a $3 million grant from Google and technical assistance by Apple. Initially, five other libraries contributed material for the prototype, including the national libraries of Egypt, Brazil and Russia.”

World Digital Library’s prototype unveiled [AP / Int’l Herald Tribune] : “The digital library’s five other partner institutions are Egypt’s Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the National Library [and Archives] of Egypt, the National Library of Brazil, the National Library of Russia and the Russian State Library.”

According to the Tribune, the World Digital Library will be “modeled on the Library of Congress’ American Memory project”, which I think is excellent news.

A brief streaming video outlining the project is available at the WDL’s website, along with a PowerPoint deck from the 2006 IFLA World Library and Information Conference.

While the initiative itself is not new — it was announced back in November of 2005 — having six national libraries formally on board and actually producing content means that might not remain in the prototype stage for too much longer.