Internet resources: Internet Archive sets up a repository of physical books

The goal of the new project undertaken by the Internet Archive is to preserve one copy of every published book (at least 10 million); volumes are promised to keep in secure and individually controllable environments with optimal temperature and relative humidity.

Internet Archive is a non-profit organization founded by Brewster Kahle, which since 1996 has been archiving content of the Web and digitizing out-of-copyright books for human benefit. Now Internet Archive is intending to preserve physical books, meaning that digital repository will get physical backup.

Brewster Kahle draws attention to the following: during digitization books are often “butchered” (their bindings are sawed off), after digitization libraries often move books to “off site” repositories, and sometimes even throw them out. A reason to preserve the physical book that has been digitized is that it is the authentic and original version that can be used as a reference in the future, Kahle highlights. If there is ever a controversy about the digital version, the original can be examined or it may prove useful when the humanity will want to scan the book in another resolution.

Internet Archive has an ambitious goal: to gain one copy of all ever published books. This is approx. 100 million volumes, although Brewster Kahle and his colleagues will be satisfied to reach a realistic milestone – 10 million books. Each box of the repository will store on average 40 catalogued books, pallets will hold 24 boxes each, modified shipping containers will be used as secure and individually controllable environments of 10–15,5 ˚C and 30% relative humidity. The repository in Richmond (California) will become a counterpart of the world-famous Svalbard Global Seed Vault, Brewster Kahle believes.