The New Online Library of Alexandria

Most of the information created prior to the advent of the web is still in printed form. Fortunately, a number of groups and companies around the world are busily scanning books, magazines and other printed content so that it can be accessed with search engines. Once this content is online, the possibilities for using and mashing up the content with other types of information are just about limitless—but current copyright laws may throw a huge wrench in the whole works. In today’s SearchDay article, Building the Universal Library, I’ve done a “review” of a terrific new essay from Wired Magazine’s “maverick editor” Kevin Kelly, which takes an extended, thoughtful look at many of the issues surrounding the creation and use of a Universal Library.