Open Sesame » Blog Archive » Code4Lib 2008: The Internet Archive
What a great way to open a conference like Code4Lib. The first keynote was presented by Brewster Kahle of the Internet Archive.

Brewster started by reminding us that the reason he was there talking to us and the reason he is working on the Internet Archive is because the library metaphor easily translates to the Internet – as librarians we’re paid to give stuff away! We work in a $12 billion a year industry which supports the publishing infrastructure. With the Internet Archive, Brewster is not suggesting that we spend less money – but that we spend it better.

He started with a slide of the Boston Public Library which has “Free to All” carved in stone. Brewster says that what people carve in stone is taken seriously – and so this is a great example of what libraries stand for. Our opportunity now is to go digital. Provide free digital content in addition to the traditional content we have been providing. I loved that he then said that this is not just a time for us to be friendly together as librarians – but to work together as a community and build something that can be offered freely to all!

(Read on at link at top of post).