World Digital Library Inaugural Annual Partner Meeting
22-23 June 2010
The World Digital Library was initiated by the Library of Congress aiming at bridging the world’s cultures. It comprises a variety of digitized material (manuscripts, maps, rare books, films, sound recordings, prints and photographs) provided to Internet users with un-restricted access, free of charge, in 7 languages. In April 2009; the World Digital Library was launched at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. As one of the five institutional founders, the BA was acknowledged in the official report issued by the UNESCO for its technical assistance in designing and implementing the architecture of the WDL and contributing with its particular expertise in the search and display of Arabic texts.
Currently, the BA is co-chairing the Technical Architecture Working Group (TAWG) that is mainly responsible for establishing policies and guidelines needed to govern the technical aspects of the WDL regarding the tools and technology used. The BA has joined the “World Digital Library Inaugural Annual Partner Meeting” in Washington, D.C. last June to discuss several essential matters with the other 68 partner institutions. Discussions covered topics regarding the governance of the WDL in terms of the Executive Council election and establishing Standing Committees. The meeting also tackled the proposals by Committees and Working Groups, the WDL content, quality assurance, outreach and education.