World Digital Library

Another major archive opens its doors: the World Digital Library, backed by UNESCO and aiming to collect cultural treasures from around the world, regardless of type. Manuscripts, maps, rare books, scores, recordings, films, prints, photographs, architectural plans, and much more (click the image to enlarge).

The public will then be able to navigate these beautifully catalogued materials with an interface in seven languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Portuguese, Spanish, and Russian. The site already hosts some gems, such as an ancient manuscript version of Genji Monogatari (源氏物語, Tale of Genji, 11th century), considered the first great tale in world literature.

The interface is very beautiful; it also allows you to zoom in on materials using the mouse wheel and easily download them in PDF format, although it can be a bit cumbersome at times, especially at high zoom levels.

Finally, it's interesting to see the list of sponsors listed on the site.

The Library of Congress and its WDL partners acknowledge the following financial contributors:

Google, Inc., for $3 million for the initial development of a WDL plan and the WDL prototype.
The Qatar Foundation, for $3 million in general support for the WDL, and to support the development of the Central Library of the Qatar Foundation as a key node in the WDL network.
The Carnegie Corporation of New York, for $2 million to support the inclusion of cultural institutions from sub-Saharan Africa and Eurasia in the WDL.
The King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Saudi Arabia, for $1 million to support activities relating to the dissemination, through the WDL, of digital versions of manuscripts and other materials relating to science in the Arab and Islamic worlds.
Microsoft, Inc., for $1 million in general support.
The Lawrence and Mary Anne Tucker Foundation to support the establishment of a digital conversion center at the Iraqi National Library and Archives.
The Bridging Nations Foundation for the development of Middle East-related content for inclusion in the WDL.

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