Discussion:
NYU Announces Project to Create Arabic Collections Online, An Arabic-Language Digital Public Library
Ali Houissa
2013-07-31 18:22:23 UTC
Permalink
NYU Announces Project to Create Arabic Collections Online, An Arabic-Language Digital Public Library

April 10, 2013
N-257, 2012-13

Five-year project aims to digitize up to 153,000 volumes per year from each partner institution.

New York University Libraries<http://library.nyu.edu>, a leader in digital library development, has announced the creation of Arabic Collections Online (ACO), a major project to create a publicly available, digital library of public-domain Arabic language content.&nbsp; NYU Libraries will create a website for the project to make the content accessible to the public worldwide.

Funded by New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), this mass digitization project aims to expose up to 153,000 volumes from NYU and partner per year from each institutions over for a period of five years.

"We are delighted that we and NYU Abu Dhabi can make this major contribution to scholarship and bring great library collections of Arabic materials to a wide audience," says Dean of Libraries Carol A. Mandel.

NYU and the partner institutions will contribute all types of material-literature, business, science, and more--from their Arabic language collections. NYU Libraries Digital Library Technology Services will develop and manage the on-line interface, creating a web portal accessible to the public around the world.

"Arabic Collections Online brings the rich content of Arabic publications held in American libraries not only to universities worldwide, but to secondary schools and readers throughout the Arabic speaking world," notes Ginny Danielson, director of the NYUAD library.&nbsp; "It truly enhances reading and research opportunities for Arabic speakers globally."

ACO will provide access to printed books drawn from rich Arabic collections of prominent American libraries. Columbia, Cornell, and Princeton Universities are among the partners in the project with NYU.&nbsp; It is very likely that some of the books ACO will digitize may not be available elsewhere in any format.

"The scope of the ACO digitization project is unprecedented, and its potential for democratizing access to printed Arabic materials will make it an important first-stop for future scholars," said Elias Muhanna, Assistant Professor Comparative Literature & Middle East Studies, Brown University.

NYU chose the initial partners based on their extensive Arabic language collections and their commitment to high standards of digital preservation. The libraries of Princeton, Columbia, Cornell, and NYU have collaborated on a variety of digital access projects. NYU is in discussion with other institutions to include their participation in the project.

The NYU Division of Libraries<http://library.nyu.edu> comprises five libraries in Manhattan and one each in Abu Dhabi and Shanghai. Its flagship, the Elmer Holmes Bobst Library on Washington Square, houses more than four million volumes and received 3 million visits last year. Around the world the Libraries offers access to more than 800,000 electronic journals, books, and databases; its website received 2.4 million visits last year. For more information about the NYU Libraries, please visit http://library.nyu.edu

NYU Abu Dhabi<http://nyuad.nyu.edu/> consists of a highly selective liberal arts and science college (including engineering) and a world center for advanced research and scholarship - all fully integrated with each other and connected to NYU in New York. Together, NYU New York and NYU Abu Dhabi form the backbone of a unique global network university, with faculty and students from either New York or Abu Dhabi spending "semesters away" at one or more of the numerous study-abroad sites NYU maintains on five continents.
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Dougherty, Roberta
2013-07-31 19:20:23 UTC
Permalink
Wow!!!

Robin D.

From: melanet-l-/***@public.gmane.org [mailto:melanet-l-/***@public.gmane.org] On Behalf Of Ali Houissa
Sent: Wednesday, July 31, 2013 2:22 PM
To: melanet-l-/***@public.gmane.org
Subject: [MELANET-L] NYU Announces Project to Create Arabic Collections Online, An Arabic-Language Digital Public Library

NYU Announces Project to Create Arabic Collections Online, An Arabic-Language Digital Public Library

April 10, 2013
N-257, 2012-13

Five-year project aims to digitize up to 153,000 volumes per year from each partner institution.

New York University Libraries<http://library.nyu.edu>, a leader in digital library development, has announced the creation of Arabic Collections Online (ACO), a major project to create a publicly available, digital library of public-domain Arabic language content.&nbsp; NYU Libraries will create a website for the project to make the content accessible to the public worldwide.

Funded by New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), this mass digitization project aims to expose up to 153,000 volumes from NYU and partner per year from each institutions over for a period of five years.

"We are delighted that we and NYU Abu Dhabi can make this major contribution to scholarship and bring great library collections of Arabic materials to a wide audience," says Dean of Libraries Carol A. Mandel.

NYU and the partner institutions will contribute all types of material-literature, business, science, and more--from their Arabic language collections. NYU Libraries Digital Library Technology Services will develop and manage the on-line interface, creating a web portal accessible to the public around the world.

"Arabic Collections Online brings the rich content of Arabic publications held in American libraries not only to universities worldwide, but to secondary schools and readers throughout the Arabic speaking world," notes Ginny Danielson, director of the NYUAD library.&nbsp; "It truly enhances reading and research opportunities for Arabic speakers globally."

ACO will provide access to printed books drawn from rich Arabic collections of prominent American libraries. Columbia, Cornell, and Princeton Universities are among the partners in the project with NYU.&nbsp; It is very likely that some of the books ACO will digitize may not be available elsewhere in any format.

"The scope of the ACO digitization project is unprecedented, and its potential for democratizing access to printed Arabic materials will make it an important first-stop for future scholars," said Elias Muhanna, Assistant Professor Comparative Literature & Middle East Studies, Brown University.

NYU chose the initial partners based on their extensive Arabic language collections and their commitment to high standards of digital preservation. The libraries of Princeton, Columbia, Cornell, and NYU have collaborated on a variety of digital access projects. NYU is in discussion with other institutions to include their participation in the project.

The NYU Division of Libraries<http://library.nyu.edu> comprises five libraries in Manhattan and one each in Abu Dhabi and Shanghai. Its flagship, the Elmer Holmes Bobst Library on Washington Square, houses more than four million volumes and received 3 million visits last year. Around the world the Libraries offers access to more than 800,000 electronic journals, books, and databases; its website received 2.4 million visits last year. For more information about the NYU Libraries, please visit http://library.nyu.edu

NYU Abu Dhabi<http://nyuad.nyu.edu/> consists of a highly selective liberal arts and science college (including engineering) and a world center for advanced research and scholarship - all fully integrated with each other and connected to NYU in New York. Together, NYU New York and NYU Abu Dhabi form the backbone of a unique global network university, with faculty and students from either New York or Abu Dhabi spending "semesters away" at one or more of the numerous study-abroad sites NYU maintains on five continents.



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Jonathan Rodgers
2013-07-31 19:31:06 UTC
Permalink
I wonder if OCR will produce Arabic text behind the images?
JR


On Wed, Jul 31, 2013 at 3:20 PM, Dougherty, Roberta <
Wow!!!****
** **
Robin D.****
** **
Behalf Of *Ali Houissa
*Sent:* Wednesday, July 31, 2013 2:22 PM
*Subject:* [MELANET-L] NYU Announces Project to Create Arabic Collections
Online, An Arabic-Language Digital Public Library****
** **
NYU Announces Project to Create Arabic Collections Online, An
Arabic-Language Digital Public Library****
April 10, 2013
N-257, 2012-13 ****
*Five-year project aims to digitize up to 153,000 volumes per year from
each partner institution.*****
New York University Libraries <http://library.nyu.edu>, a leader in
digital library development, has announced the creation of Arabic
Collections Online (ACO), a major project to create a publicly available,
digital library of public-domain Arabic language content.&nbsp; NYU
Libraries will create a website for the project to make the content
accessible to the public worldwide.****
Funded by New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), this mass digitization
project aims to expose up to 153,000 volumes from NYU and partner per year
from each institutions over for a period of five years.****
“We are delighted that we and NYU Abu Dhabi can make this major
contribution to scholarship and bring great library collections of Arabic
materials to a wide audience,” says Dean of Libraries Carol A. Mandel.****
NYU and the partner institutions will contribute all types of
material—literature, business, science, and more--from their Arabic
language collections. NYU Libraries Digital Library Technology Services
will develop and manage the on-line interface, creating a web portal
accessible to the public around the world.****
“Arabic Collections Online brings the rich content of Arabic publications
held in American libraries not only to universities worldwide, but to
secondary schools and readers throughout the Arabic speaking world,” notes
Ginny Danielson, director of the NYUAD library.&nbsp; “It truly enhances
reading and research opportunities for Arabic speakers globally.”****
ACO will provide access to printed books drawn from rich Arabic
collections of prominent American libraries. Columbia, Cornell, and
Princeton Universities are among the partners in the project with
NYU.&nbsp; It is very likely that some of the books ACO will digitize may
not be available elsewhere in any format.****
“The scope of the ACO digitization project is unprecedented, and its
potential for democratizing access to printed Arabic materials will make it
an important first-stop for future scholars,” said Elias Muhanna, Assistant
Professor Comparative Literature & Middle East Studies, Brown University.*
***
NYU chose the initial partners based on their extensive Arabic language
collections and their commitment to high standards of digital preservation.
The libraries of Princeton, Columbia, Cornell, and NYU have collaborated on
a variety of digital access projects. NYU is in discussion with other
institutions to include their participation in the project.****
The NYU Division of Libraries <http://library.nyu.edu> comprises five
libraries in Manhattan and one each in Abu Dhabi and Shanghai. Its
flagship, the Elmer Holmes Bobst Library on Washington Square, houses more
than four million volumes and received 3 million visits last year. Around
the world the Libraries offers access to more than 800,000 electronic
journals, books, and databases; its website received 2.4 million visits
last year. For more information about the NYU Libraries, please visit
http://library.nyu.edu****
NYU Abu Dhabi <http://nyuad.nyu.edu/> consists of a highly selective
liberal arts and science college (including engineering) and a world center
for advanced research and scholarship — all fully integrated with each
other and connected to NYU in New York. Together, NYU New York and NYU Abu
Dhabi form the backbone of a unique global network university, with faculty
and students from either New York or Abu Dhabi spending “semesters away” at
one or more of the numerous study-abroad sites NYU maintains on five
continents.****
** **
** **
** **
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Jonathan Rodgers
2013-07-31 20:57:12 UTC
Permalink
Except the mention of public domain.


On Wed, Jul 31, 2013 at 3:58 PM, Dougherty, Roberta <
Hi guys, were you approached about joining this initiative? I note that
the release indicates that NYU is “in discussion” with other institutions.
****
** **
The release says nothing about how they are planning to deal with
copyright issues.****
** **
Robin D.****
** **
Behalf Of *Jonathan Rodgers
*Sent:* Wednesday, July 31, 2013 3:31 PM
*To:* MELANET-L
*Subject:* Re: [MELANET-L] RE: NYU Announces Project to Create Arabic
Collections Online, An Arabic-Language Digital Public Library****
** **
I wonder if OCR will produce Arabic text behind the images?****
JR****
** **
On Wed, Jul 31, 2013 at 3:20 PM, Dougherty, Roberta <
Wow!!!****
****
Robin D.****
****
Behalf Of *Ali Houissa
*Sent:* Wednesday, July 31, 2013 2:22 PM
*Subject:* [MELANET-L] NYU Announces Project to Create Arabic Collections
Online, An Arabic-Language Digital Public Library****
****
NYU Announces Project to Create Arabic Collections Online, An
Arabic-Language Digital Public Library****
April 10, 2013
N-257, 2012-13 ****
*Five-year project aims to digitize up to 153,000 volumes per year from
each partner institution.*****
New York University Libraries <http://library.nyu.edu>, a leader in
digital library development, has announced the creation of Arabic
Collections Online (ACO), a major project to create a publicly available,
digital library of public-domain Arabic language content.&nbsp; NYU
Libraries will create a website for the project to make the content
accessible to the public worldwide.****
Funded by New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), this mass digitization
project aims to expose up to 153,000 volumes from NYU and partner per year
from each institutions over for a period of five years.****
“We are delighted that we and NYU Abu Dhabi can make this major
contribution to scholarship and bring great library collections of Arabic
materials to a wide audience,” says Dean of Libraries Carol A. Mandel.****
NYU and the partner institutions will contribute all types of
material—literature, business, science, and more--from their Arabic
language collections. NYU Libraries Digital Library Technology Services
will develop and manage the on-line interface, creating a web portal
accessible to the public around the world.****
“Arabic Collections Online brings the rich content of Arabic publications
held in American libraries not only to universities worldwide, but to
secondary schools and readers throughout the Arabic speaking world,” notes
Ginny Danielson, director of the NYUAD library.&nbsp; “It truly enhances
reading and research opportunities for Arabic speakers globally.”****
ACO will provide access to printed books drawn from rich Arabic
collections of prominent American libraries. Columbia, Cornell, and
Princeton Universities are among the partners in the project with
NYU.&nbsp; It is very likely that some of the books ACO will digitize may
not be available elsewhere in any format.****
“The scope of the ACO digitization project is unprecedented, and its
potential for democratizing access to printed Arabic materials will make it
an important first-stop for future scholars,” said Elias Muhanna, Assistant
Professor Comparative Literature & Middle East Studies, Brown University.*
***
NYU chose the initial partners based on their extensive Arabic language
collections and their commitment to high standards of digital preservation.
The libraries of Princeton, Columbia, Cornell, and NYU have collaborated on
a variety of digital access projects. NYU is in discussion with other
institutions to include their participation in the project.****
The NYU Division of Libraries <http://library.nyu.edu> comprises five
libraries in Manhattan and one each in Abu Dhabi and Shanghai. Its
flagship, the Elmer Holmes Bobst Library on Washington Square, houses more
than four million volumes and received 3 million visits last year. Around
the world the Libraries offers access to more than 800,000 electronic
journals, books, and databases; its website received 2.4 million visits
last year. For more information about the NYU Libraries, please visit
http://library.nyu.edu****
NYU Abu Dhabi <http://nyuad.nyu.edu/> consists of a highly selective
liberal arts and science college (including engineering) and a world center
for advanced research and scholarship — all fully integrated with each
other and connected to NYU in New York. Together, NYU New York and NYU Abu
Dhabi form the backbone of a unique global network university, with faculty
and students from either New York or Abu Dhabi spending “semesters away” at
one or more of the numerous study-abroad sites NYU maintains on five
continents.****
****
****
****
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Guy Burak
2013-07-31 21:18:05 UTC
Permalink
Good afternoon,

The project is a collaboration of several institutions: Columbia, Cornell,
Princeton, AUB and NYU.

As to copyright issues: the scope of the project is determined by the
copyright laws in the different countries. It includes only books that are
considered public domains.

OCR - unfortunately, at this point it appears that the collection will not
be searchable, because OCR doesn't handle very well Arabic script.
Hopefully, this will change in the future.

Guy

Guy Burak
The Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies Librarian
The Elmer Holmes Bobst Library,
New York University
70 Washington Square South (room 506)
New York, NY 10012
Post by Jonathan Rodgers
Except the mention of public domain.
On Wed, Jul 31, 2013 at 3:58 PM, Dougherty, Roberta <
Hi guys, were you approached about joining this initiative? I note that
the release indicates that NYU is “in discussion” with other institutions.
****
** **
The release says nothing about how they are planning to deal with
copyright issues.****
** **
Robin D.****
** **
Behalf Of *Jonathan Rodgers
*Sent:* Wednesday, July 31, 2013 3:31 PM
*To:* MELANET-L
*Subject:* Re: [MELANET-L] RE: NYU Announces Project to Create Arabic
Collections Online, An Arabic-Language Digital Public Library****
** **
I wonder if OCR will produce Arabic text behind the images?****
JR****
** **
On Wed, Jul 31, 2013 at 3:20 PM, Dougherty, Roberta <
Wow!!!****
****
Robin D.****
****
Behalf Of *Ali Houissa
*Sent:* Wednesday, July 31, 2013 2:22 PM
*Subject:* [MELANET-L] NYU Announces Project to Create Arabic
Collections Online, An Arabic-Language Digital Public Library****
****
NYU Announces Project to Create Arabic Collections Online, An
Arabic-Language Digital Public Library****
April 10, 2013
N-257, 2012-13 ****
*Five-year project aims to digitize up to 153,000 volumes per year from
each partner institution.*****
New York University Libraries <http://library.nyu.edu>, a leader in
digital library development, has announced the creation of Arabic
Collections Online (ACO), a major project to create a publicly available,
digital library of public-domain Arabic language content.&nbsp; NYU
Libraries will create a website for the project to make the content
accessible to the public worldwide.****
Funded by New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), this mass digitization
project aims to expose up to 153,000 volumes from NYU and partner per year
from each institutions over for a period of five years.****
“We are delighted that we and NYU Abu Dhabi can make this major
contribution to scholarship and bring great library collections of Arabic
materials to a wide audience,” says Dean of Libraries Carol A. Mandel.***
*
NYU and the partner institutions will contribute all types of
material—literature, business, science, and more--from their Arabic
language collections. NYU Libraries Digital Library Technology Services
will develop and manage the on-line interface, creating a web portal
accessible to the public around the world.****
“Arabic Collections Online brings the rich content of Arabic publications
held in American libraries not only to universities worldwide, but to
secondary schools and readers throughout the Arabic speaking world,” notes
Ginny Danielson, director of the NYUAD library.&nbsp; “It truly enhances
reading and research opportunities for Arabic speakers globally.”****
ACO will provide access to printed books drawn from rich Arabic
collections of prominent American libraries. Columbia, Cornell, and
Princeton Universities are among the partners in the project with
NYU.&nbsp; It is very likely that some of the books ACO will digitize may
not be available elsewhere in any format.****
“The scope of the ACO digitization project is unprecedented, and its
potential for democratizing access to printed Arabic materials will make it
an important first-stop for future scholars,” said Elias Muhanna, Assistant
Professor Comparative Literature & Middle East Studies, Brown University.
****
NYU chose the initial partners based on their extensive Arabic language
collections and their commitment to high standards of digital preservation.
The libraries of Princeton, Columbia, Cornell, and NYU have collaborated on
a variety of digital access projects. NYU is in discussion with other
institutions to include their participation in the project.****
The NYU Division of Libraries <http://library.nyu.edu> comprises five
libraries in Manhattan and one each in Abu Dhabi and Shanghai. Its
flagship, the Elmer Holmes Bobst Library on Washington Square, houses more
than four million volumes and received 3 million visits last year. Around
the world the Libraries offers access to more than 800,000 electronic
journals, books, and databases; its website received 2.4 million visits
last year. For more information about the NYU Libraries, please visit
http://library.nyu.edu****
NYU Abu Dhabi <http://nyuad.nyu.edu/> consists of a highly selective
liberal arts and science college (including engineering) and a world center
for advanced research and scholarship — all fully integrated with each
other and connected to NYU in New York. Together, NYU New York and NYU Abu
Dhabi form the backbone of a unique global network university, with faculty
and students from either New York or Abu Dhabi spending “semesters away” at
one or more of the numerous study-abroad sites NYU maintains on five
continents.****
****
****
****
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Demowbray, Julia
2013-07-31 21:22:35 UTC
Permalink
Can I ask whether there is a date range for the books?

From: melanet-l-/***@public.gmane.org [mailto:melanet-l-/***@public.gmane.org] On Behalf Of Guy Burak
Sent: 31 July 2013 22:18
To: melanet-l-/***@public.gmane.org
Subject: Re: [MELANET-L] RE: NYU Announces Project to Create Arabic Collections Online, An Arabic-Language Digital Public Library

Good afternoon,

The project is a collaboration of several institutions: Columbia, Cornell, Princeton, AUB and NYU.

As to copyright issues: the scope of the project is determined by the copyright laws in the different countries. It includes only books that are considered public domains.

OCR - unfortunately, at this point it appears that the collection will not be searchable, because OCR doesn't handle very well Arabic script. Hopefully, this will change in the future.

Guy

Guy Burak
The Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies Librarian
The Elmer Holmes Bobst Library,
New York University
70 Washington Square South (room 506)
New York, NY 10012
E-mail: guy.burak-RWB/***@public.gmane.org<mailto:guy.burak-RWB/***@public.gmane.org>

On Wed, Jul 31, 2013 at 4:57 PM, Jonathan Rodgers <jrodgers-63aXycvo3TyHXe+***@public.gmane.org<mailto:jrodgers-63aXycvo3TyHXe+***@public.gmane.org>> wrote:
Except the mention of public domain.

On Wed, Jul 31, 2013 at 3:58 PM, Dougherty, Roberta <***@yale.edu<mailto:roberta.dougherty-***@public.gmane.org>> wrote:
Hi guys, were you approached about joining this initiative? I note that the release indicates that NYU is "in discussion" with other institutions.

The release says nothing about how they are planning to deal with copyright issues.

Robin D.

From: melanet-l-/***@public.gmane.org<mailto:melanet-l-/***@public.gmane.org> [mailto:melanet-l-/***@public.gmane.org<mailto:melanet-l-/***@public.gmane.org>] On Behalf Of Jonathan Rodgers
Sent: Wednesday, July 31, 2013 3:31 PM
To: MELANET-L
Subject: Re: [MELANET-L] RE: NYU Announces Project to Create Arabic Collections Online, An Arabic-Language Digital Public Library

I wonder if OCR will produce Arabic text behind the images?
JR

On Wed, Jul 31, 2013 at 3:20 PM, Dougherty, Roberta <***@yale.edu<mailto:roberta.dougherty-***@public.gmane.org>> wrote:
Wow!!!

Robin D.

From: melanet-l-/***@public.gmane.org<mailto:melanet-l-/***@public.gmane.org> [mailto:melanet-l-/***@public.gmane.org<mailto:melanet-l-/***@public.gmane.org>] On Behalf Of Ali Houissa
Sent: Wednesday, July 31, 2013 2:22 PM
To: melanet-l-/***@public.gmane.org<mailto:melanet-l-/***@public.gmane.org>
Subject: [MELANET-L] NYU Announces Project to Create Arabic Collections Online, An Arabic-Language Digital Public Library

NYU Announces Project to Create Arabic Collections Online, An Arabic-Language Digital Public Library

April 10, 2013
N-257, 2012-13

Five-year project aims to digitize up to 153,000 volumes per year from each partner institution.

New York University Libraries<http://library.nyu.edu>, a leader in digital library development, has announced the creation of Arabic Collections Online (ACO), a major project to create a publicly available, digital library of public-domain Arabic language content.&nbsp; NYU Libraries will create a website for the project to make the content accessible to the public worldwide.

Funded by New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), this mass digitization project aims to expose up to 153,000 volumes from NYU and partner per year from each institutions over for a period of five years.

"We are delighted that we and NYU Abu Dhabi can make this major contribution to scholarship and bring great library collections of Arabic materials to a wide audience," says Dean of Libraries Carol A. Mandel.

NYU and the partner institutions will contribute all types of material-literature, business, science, and more--from their Arabic language collections. NYU Libraries Digital Library Technology Services will develop and manage the on-line interface, creating a web portal accessible to the public around the world.

"Arabic Collections Online brings the rich content of Arabic publications held in American libraries not only to universities worldwide, but to secondary schools and readers throughout the Arabic speaking world," notes Ginny Danielson, director of the NYUAD library.&nbsp; "It truly enhances reading and research opportunities for Arabic speakers globally."

ACO will provide access to printed books drawn from rich Arabic collections of prominent American libraries. Columbia, Cornell, and Princeton Universities are among the partners in the project with NYU.&nbsp; It is very likely that some of the books ACO will digitize may not be available elsewhere in any format.

"The scope of the ACO digitization project is unprecedented, and its potential for democratizing access to printed Arabic materials will make it an important first-stop for future scholars," said Elias Muhanna, Assistant Professor Comparative Literature & Middle East Studies, Brown University.

NYU chose the initial partners based on their extensive Arabic language collections and their commitment to high standards of digital preservation. The libraries of Princeton, Columbia, Cornell, and NYU have collaborated on a variety of digital access projects. NYU is in discussion with other institutions to include their participation in the project.

The NYU Division of Libraries<http://library.nyu.edu> comprises five libraries in Manhattan and one each in Abu Dhabi and Shanghai. Its flagship, the Elmer Holmes Bobst Library on Washington Square, houses more than four million volumes and received 3 million visits last year. Around the world the Libraries offers access to more than 800,000 electronic journals, books, and databases; its website received 2.4 million visits last year. For more information about the NYU Libraries, please visit http://library.nyu.edu

NYU Abu Dhabi<http://nyuad.nyu.edu/> consists of a highly selective liberal arts and science college (including engineering) and a world center for advanced research and scholarship - all fully integrated with each other and connected to NYU in New York. Together, NYU New York and NYU Abu Dhabi form the backbone of a unique global network university, with faculty and students from either New York or Abu Dhabi spending "semesters away" at one or more of the numerous study-abroad sites NYU maintains on five continents.



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evyn kropf
2013-07-31 22:45:08 UTC
Permalink
I also wonder about a date range and how "public domain" will be
determined...

Currently HathiTrust has 117,340 "Arabic" titles (per existing
cataloguing) but only 5,646 are "full view" in the US i.e. "published
before 1923" (HathiTrust takes a conservative approach with copyright
given the complexity and differences of international copyright laws.
For works published outside of the US, only those published before
1873 are visible to users outside of the US. Also this number happens
to include 711 unpublished manuscripts not under copyright)...

http://tinyurl.com/mlthrlv

The number of volumes (as opposed to titles) would certainly be
greater in each of these categories as a number of titles are serials
or multivolume monographs. However, it appears that only 74 of the 882
titles designated "Serial" are fully viewable...

Also, the DAR (Digital Assets Repository) of the Bibliotheca
Alexandrina currently lists 184,976 Arabic titles, but only 17,968 of
these are Full View (per an Advanced Search with "Arabic" selected
from the "Languages" drop down menu:
http://dar.bibalex.org/webpages/advancedsearch.jsf ).

The BA / DAR copyright statement (found here
http://dar.bibalex.org/webpages/disclaimer.jsf ) does not specify a
date range, but does indicate that they are following the legal
provisions of Egyptian Law, the Berne Convention and TRIPS Agreement.
It also mentions that they allow "orphan works" to be fully viewable.
DAR books still in copyright are viewable only 5% snippets...

To reach the figures stated in the ACO press release, perhaps a
substantial number of "public domain" serials will be digitized?

Best wishes with this project!

Cheers,
Evyn
Post by Demowbray, Julia
Can I ask whether there is a date range for the books?
*Sent:* 31 July 2013 22:18
*Subject:* Re: [MELANET-L] RE: NYU Announces Project to Create Arabic
Collections Online, An Arabic-Language Digital Public Library
Good afternoon,
The project is a collaboration of several institutions: Columbia, Cornell,
Princeton, AUB and NYU.
As to copyright issues: the scope of the project is determined by the
copyright laws in the different countries. It includes only books that are
considered public domains.
OCR - unfortunately, at this point it appears that the collection will not
be searchable, because OCR doesn't handle very well Arabic script.
Hopefully, this will change in the future.
Guy
Guy Burak
The Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies Librarian
The Elmer Holmes Bobst Library,
New York University
70 Washington Square South (room 506)
New York, NY 10012
Except the mention of public domain.
Hi guys, were you approached about joining this initiative? I note that
the release indicates that NYU is “in discussion” with other institutions.
The release says nothing about how they are planning to deal with copyright issues.
Robin D.
*Sent:* Wednesday, July 31, 2013 3:31 PM
*To:* MELANET-L
*Subject:* Re: [MELANET-L] RE: NYU Announces Project to Create Arabic
Collections Online, An Arabic-Language Digital Public Library
I wonder if OCR will produce Arabic text behind the images?
JR
Wow!!!
Robin D.
*Sent:* Wednesday, July 31, 2013 2:22 PM
*Subject:* [MELANET-L] NYU Announces Project to Create Arabic Collections
Online, An Arabic-Language Digital Public Library
NYU Announces Project to Create Arabic Collections Online, An
Arabic-Language Digital Public Library
April 10, 2013
N-257, 2012-13
*Five-year project aims to digitize up to 153,000 volumes per year from
each partner institution.*
New York University Libraries <http://library.nyu.edu>, a leader in
digital library development, has announced the creation of Arabic
Collections Online (ACO), a major project to create a publicly available,
digital library of public-domain Arabic language content.&nbsp; NYU
Libraries will create a website for the project to make the content
accessible to the public worldwide.
Funded by New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), this mass digitization
project aims to expose up to 153,000 volumes from NYU and partner per year
from each institutions over for a period of five years.
“We are delighted that we and NYU Abu Dhabi can make this major
contribution to scholarship and bring great library collections of Arabic
materials to a wide audience,” says Dean of Libraries Carol A. Mandel.
NYU and the partner institutions will contribute all types of
material—literature, business, science, and more--from their Arabic
language collections. NYU Libraries Digital Library Technology Services
will develop and manage the on-line interface, creating a web portal
accessible to the public around the world.
“Arabic Collections Online brings the rich content of Arabic publications
held in American libraries not only to universities worldwide, but to
secondary schools and readers throughout the Arabic speaking world,” notes
Ginny Danielson, director of the NYUAD library.&nbsp; “It truly enhances
reading and research opportunities for Arabic speakers globally.”
ACO will provide access to printed books drawn from rich Arabic
collections of prominent American libraries. Columbia, Cornell, and
Princeton Universities are among the partners in the project with
NYU.&nbsp; It is very likely that some of the books ACO will digitize may
not be available elsewhere in any format.
“The scope of the ACO digitization project is unprecedented, and its
potential for democratizing access to printed Arabic materials will make it
an important first-stop for future scholars,” said Elias Muhanna, Assistant
Professor Comparative Literature & Middle East Studies, Brown University.
NYU chose the initial partners based on their extensive Arabic language
collections and their commitment to high standards of digital preservation.
The libraries of Princeton, Columbia, Cornell, and NYU have collaborated on
a variety of digital access projects. NYU is in discussion with other
institutions to include their participation in the project.
The NYU Division of Libraries <http://library.nyu.edu> comprises five
libraries in Manhattan and one each in Abu Dhabi and Shanghai. Its
flagship, the Elmer Holmes Bobst Library on Washington Square, houses more
than four million volumes and received 3 million visits last year. Around
the world the Libraries offers access to more than 800,000 electronic
journals, books, and databases; its website received 2.4 million visits
last year. For more information about the NYU Libraries, please visit
http://library.nyu.edu
NYU Abu Dhabi <http://nyuad.nyu.edu/> consists of a highly selective
liberal arts and science college (including engineering) and a world center
for advanced research and scholarship — all fully integrated with each
other and connected to NYU in New York. Together, NYU New York and NYU Abu
Dhabi form the backbone of a unique global network university, with faculty
and students from either New York or Abu Dhabi spending “semesters away” at
one or more of the numerous study-abroad sites NYU maintains on five
continents.
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Lokman Ibrahim Meho
2013-08-01 06:14:11 UTC
Permalink
Please note that the project aims to digitize up to 3,000 volumes per year from each partner institution (and not 153,000 as was indicated in the announcement).

Best,
Lokman

Lokman I. Meho, Ph.D.
University Librarian
Associate Professor of Political Studies
American University of Beirut
P.O. Box 11-236 - Riad El Solh Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon
Telephone: 961-1-350-000 ext 2600 - Fax: 961-1-744703
E-mail: lmeho-***@public.gmane.org<mailto:lmeho-***@public.gmane.org>
http://staff.aub.edu.lb/~lmeho/

________________________________
From: melanet-l-/***@public.gmane.org [melanet-l-/***@public.gmane.org] On Behalf Of evyn kropf [wekropf-***@public.gmane.org]
Sent: Thursday, August 01, 2013 1:45 AM
To: melanet-l-/***@public.gmane.org
Subject: Re: [MELANET-L] RE: NYU Announces Project to Create Arabic Collections Online, An Arabic-Language Digital Public Library

I also wonder about a date range and how "public domain" will be determined...

Currently HathiTrust has 117,340 "Arabic" titles (per existing
cataloguing) but only 5,646 are "full view" in the US i.e. "published
before 1923" (HathiTrust takes a conservative approach with copyright
given the complexity and differences of international copyright laws.
For works published outside of the US, only those published before
1873 are visible to users outside of the US. Also this number happens
to include 711 unpublished manuscripts not under copyright)...

http://tinyurl.com/mlthrlv

The number of volumes (as opposed to titles) would certainly be
greater in each of these categories as a number of titles are serials
or multivolume monographs. However, it appears that only 74 of the 882
titles designated "Serial" are fully viewable...

Also, the DAR (Digital Assets Repository) of the Bibliotheca
Alexandrina currently lists 184,976 Arabic titles, but only 17,968 of
these are Full View (per an Advanced Search with "Arabic" selected
from the "Languages" drop down menu:
http://dar.bibalex.org/webpages/advancedsearch.jsf ).

The BA / DAR copyright statement (found here
http://dar.bibalex.org/webpages/disclaimer.jsf ) does not specify a
date range, but does indicate that they are following the legal
provisions of Egyptian Law, the Berne Convention and TRIPS Agreement.
It also mentions that they allow "orphan works" to be fully viewable.
DAR books still in copyright are viewable only 5% snippets...

To reach the figures stated in the ACO press release, perhaps a
substantial number of "public domain" serials will be digitized?

Best wishes with this project!

Cheers,
Evyn

On Wednesday, July 31, 2013 5:22:35 PM UTC-4, julia.demowbray wrote:
Can I ask whether there is a date range for the books?

From: mela...-/***@public.gmane.org<https://owa.aub.edu.lb/owa/UrlBlockedError.aspx> [mailto:mela...-/***@public.gmane.org<https://owa.aub.edu.lb/owa/UrlBlockedError.aspx>] On Behalf Of Guy Burak
Sent: 31 July 2013 22:18
To: mela...-/***@public.gmane.org<https://owa.aub.edu.lb/owa/UrlBlockedError.aspx>
Subject: Re: [MELANET-L] RE: NYU Announces Project to Create Arabic Collections Online, An Arabic-Language Digital Public Library

Good afternoon,

The project is a collaboration of several institutions: Columbia, Cornell, Princeton, AUB and NYU.

As to copyright issues: the scope of the project is determined by the copyright laws in the different countries. It includes only books that are considered public domains.

OCR - unfortunately, at this point it appears that the collection will not be searchable, because OCR doesn't handle very well Arabic script. Hopefully, this will change in the future.

Guy

Guy Burak
The Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies Librarian
The Elmer Holmes Bobst Library,
New York University
70 Washington Square South (room 506)
New York, NY 10012
E-mail: guy....-RWB/***@public.gmane.org<https://owa.aub.edu.lb/owa/UrlBlockedError.aspx>

On Wed, Jul 31, 2013 at 4:57 PM, Jonathan Rodgers <jrod...-63aXycvo3TyHXe+***@public.gmane.org<https://owa.aub.edu.lb/owa/UrlBlockedError.aspx>> wrote:
Except the mention of public domain.

On Wed, Jul 31, 2013 at 3:58 PM, Dougherty, Roberta <roberta....-***@public.gmane.org<https://owa.aub.edu.lb/owa/UrlBlockedError.aspx>> wrote:
Hi guys, were you approached about joining this initiative? I note that the release indicates that NYU is “in discussion” with other institutions.

The release says nothing about how they are planning to deal with copyright issues.

Robin D.

From: mela...-/***@public.gmane.org<https://owa.aub.edu.lb/owa/UrlBlockedError.aspx> [mailto:mela...-/***@public.gmane.org<https://owa.aub.edu.lb/owa/UrlBlockedError.aspx>] On Behalf Of Jonathan Rodgers
Sent: Wednesday, July 31, 2013 3:31 PM
To: MELANET-L
Subject: Re: [MELANET-L] RE: NYU Announces Project to Create Arabic Collections Online, An Arabic-Language Digital Public Library

I wonder if OCR will produce Arabic text behind the images?
JR

On Wed, Jul 31, 2013 at 3:20 PM, Dougherty, Roberta <roberta....-***@public.gmane.org<https://owa.aub.edu.lb/owa/UrlBlockedError.aspx>> wrote:
Wow!!!

Robin D.

From: mela...-/***@public.gmane.org<https://owa.aub.edu.lb/owa/UrlBlockedError.aspx> [mailto:mela...-/***@public.gmane.org<https://owa.aub.edu.lb/owa/UrlBlockedError.aspx>] On Behalf Of Ali Houissa
Sent: Wednesday, July 31, 2013 2:22 PM
To: mela...-/***@public.gmane.org<https://owa.aub.edu.lb/owa/UrlBlockedError.aspx>
Subject: [MELANET-L] NYU Announces Project to Create Arabic Collections Online, An Arabic-Language Digital Public Library

NYU Announces Project to Create Arabic Collections Online, An Arabic-Language Digital Public Library

April 10, 2013
N-257, 2012-13

Five-year project aims to digitize up to 153,000 volumes per year from each partner institution.

New York University Libraries<http://library.nyu.edu>, a leader in digital library development, has announced the creation of Arabic Collections Online (ACO), a major project to create a publicly available, digital library of public-domain Arabic language content.&nbsp; NYU Libraries will create a website for the project to make the content accessible to the public worldwide.

Funded by New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), this mass digitization project aims to expose up to 153,000 volumes from NYU and partner per year from each institutions over for a period of five years.

“We are delighted that we and NYU Abu Dhabi can make this major contribution to scholarship and bring great library collections of Arabic materials to a wide audience,” says Dean of Libraries Carol A. Mandel.

NYU and the partner institutions will contribute all types of material—literature, business, science, and more--from their Arabic language collections. NYU Libraries Digital Library Technology Services will develop and manage the on-line interface, creating a web portal accessible to the public around the world.

“Arabic Collections Online brings the rich content of Arabic publications held in American libraries not only to universities worldwide, but to secondary schools and readers throughout the Arabic speaking world,” notes Ginny Danielson, director of the NYUAD library.&nbsp; “It truly enhances reading and research opportunities for Arabic speakers globally.”

ACO will provide access to printed books drawn from rich Arabic collections of prominent American libraries. Columbia, Cornell, and Princeton Universities are among the partners in the project with NYU.&nbsp; It is very likely that some of the books ACO will digitize may not be available elsewhere in any format.

“The scope of the ACO digitization project is unprecedented, and its potential for democratizing access to printed Arabic materials will make it an important first-stop for future scholars,” said Elias Muhanna, Assistant Professor Comparative Literature & Middle East Studies, Brown University.

NYU chose the initial partners based on their extensive Arabic language collections and their commitment to high standards of digital preservation. The libraries of Princeton, Columbia, Cornell, and NYU have collaborated on a variety of digital access projects. NYU is in discussion with other institutions to include their participation in the project.

The NYU Division of Libraries<http://library.nyu.edu> comprises five libraries in Manhattan and one each in Abu Dhabi and Shanghai. Its flagship, the Elmer Holmes Bobst Library on Washington Square, houses more than four million volumes and received 3 million visits last year. Around the world the Libraries offers access to more than 800,000 electronic journals, books, and databases; its website received 2.4 million visits last year. For more information about the NYU Libraries, please visit http://library.nyu.edu

NYU Abu Dhabi<http://nyuad.nyu.edu/> consists of a highly selective liberal arts and science college (including engineering) and a world center for advanced research and scholarship — all fully integrated with each other and connected to NYU in New York. Together, NYU New York and NYU Abu Dhabi form the backbone of a unique global network university, with faculty and students from either New York or Abu Dhabi spending “semesters away” at one or more of the numerous study-abroad sites NYU maintains on five continents.



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Jonathan Rodgers
2013-07-31 22:15:10 UTC
Permalink
Of course if the text can be ocr'd to produce searchable text behind the
images, then that feature would put the project at a considerable
advantage, compared to any other ventures, such as HathiTrust adn Google
Books, where some feeble attempts at ocr have been undertaken with useless
results.
JR
Post by Guy Burak
Good afternoon,
The project is a collaboration of several institutions: Columbia, Cornell,
Princeton, AUB and NYU.
As to copyright issues: the scope of the project is determined by the
copyright laws in the different countries. It includes only books that are
considered public domains.
OCR - unfortunately, at this point it appears that the collection will not
be searchable, because OCR doesn't handle very well Arabic script.
Hopefully, this will change in the future.
Guy
Guy Burak
The Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies Librarian
The Elmer Holmes Bobst Library,
New York University
70 Washington Square South (room 506)
New York, NY 10012
Post by Jonathan Rodgers
Except the mention of public domain.
On Wed, Jul 31, 2013 at 3:58 PM, Dougherty, Roberta <
Hi guys, were you approached about joining this initiative? I note
that the release indicates that NYU is “in discussion” with other
institutions.****
** **
The release says nothing about how they are planning to deal with
copyright issues.****
** **
Robin D.****
** **
Behalf Of *Jonathan Rodgers
*Sent:* Wednesday, July 31, 2013 3:31 PM
*To:* MELANET-L
*Subject:* Re: [MELANET-L] RE: NYU Announces Project to Create Arabic
Collections Online, An Arabic-Language Digital Public Library****
** **
I wonder if OCR will produce Arabic text behind the images?****
JR****
** **
On Wed, Jul 31, 2013 at 3:20 PM, Dougherty, Roberta <
Wow!!!****
****
Robin D.****
****
Behalf Of *Ali Houissa
*Sent:* Wednesday, July 31, 2013 2:22 PM
*Subject:* [MELANET-L] NYU Announces Project to Create Arabic
Collections Online, An Arabic-Language Digital Public Library****
****
NYU Announces Project to Create Arabic Collections Online, An
Arabic-Language Digital Public Library****
April 10, 2013
N-257, 2012-13 ****
*Five-year project aims to digitize up to 153,000 volumes per year from
each partner institution.*****
New York University Libraries <http://library.nyu.edu>, a leader in
digital library development, has announced the creation of Arabic
Collections Online (ACO), a major project to create a publicly available,
digital library of public-domain Arabic language content.&nbsp; NYU
Libraries will create a website for the project to make the content
accessible to the public worldwide.****
Funded by New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), this mass digitization
project aims to expose up to 153,000 volumes from NYU and partner per year
from each institutions over for a period of five years.****
“We are delighted that we and NYU Abu Dhabi can make this major
contribution to scholarship and bring great library collections of Arabic
materials to a wide audience,” says Dean of Libraries Carol A. Mandel.**
**
NYU and the partner institutions will contribute all types of
material—literature, business, science, and more--from their Arabic
language collections. NYU Libraries Digital Library Technology Services
will develop and manage the on-line interface, creating a web portal
accessible to the public around the world.****
“Arabic Collections Online brings the rich content of Arabic
publications held in American libraries not only to universities worldwide,
but to secondary schools and readers throughout the Arabic speaking world,”
notes Ginny Danielson, director of the NYUAD library.&nbsp; “It truly
enhances reading and research opportunities for Arabic speakers globally.”
****
ACO will provide access to printed books drawn from rich Arabic
collections of prominent American libraries. Columbia, Cornell, and
Princeton Universities are among the partners in the project with
NYU.&nbsp; It is very likely that some of the books ACO will digitize may
not be available elsewhere in any format.****
“The scope of the ACO digitization project is unprecedented, and its
potential for democratizing access to printed Arabic materials will make it
an important first-stop for future scholars,” said Elias Muhanna, Assistant
Professor Comparative Literature & Middle East Studies, Brown University.
****
NYU chose the initial partners based on their extensive Arabic language
collections and their commitment to high standards of digital preservation.
The libraries of Princeton, Columbia, Cornell, and NYU have collaborated on
a variety of digital access projects. NYU is in discussion with other
institutions to include their participation in the project.****
The NYU Division of Libraries <http://library.nyu.edu> comprises five
libraries in Manhattan and one each in Abu Dhabi and Shanghai. Its
flagship, the Elmer Holmes Bobst Library on Washington Square, houses more
than four million volumes and received 3 million visits last year. Around
the world the Libraries offers access to more than 800,000 electronic
journals, books, and databases; its website received 2.4 million visits
last year. For more information about the NYU Libraries, please visit
http://library.nyu.edu****
NYU Abu Dhabi <http://nyuad.nyu.edu/> consists of a highly selective
liberal arts and science college (including engineering) and a world center
for advanced research and scholarship — all fully integrated with each
other and connected to NYU in New York. Together, NYU New York and NYU Abu
Dhabi form the backbone of a unique global network university, with faculty
and students from either New York or Abu Dhabi spending “semesters away” at
one or more of the numerous study-abroad sites NYU maintains on five
continents.****
****
****
****
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Andrew Cunningham
2013-08-01 22:05:33 UTC
Permalink
On 01/08/2013 7:18 AM, "Guy Burak"
Post by Guy Burak
OCR - unfortunately, at this point it appears that the collection will
not be searchable, because OCR doesn't handle very well Arabic script.
Hopefully, this will change in the future.
Out of curiosity, what precisely doesn't OCR handle well with respect to
Arabic script?

I have used Arabic OCR since the 1990s, but I assume the companies working
on Arabic OCR would have made some advances since then?

Andrew
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Ali Houissa
2013-08-01 18:21:00 UTC
Permalink
Hi-
Arabic Collections Online (ACO), lead and managed by NYU, is a major project, which had been under discussion for more than a couple of years. As described in the announcement<http://www.nyu.edu/about/news-publications/news/2013/04/10/nyu-announces-project-to-create-arabic-collections-online-an-arabic-language-digital-public-library1.html>, initial partners include NYU, Columbia, Cornell, NYPL and Princeton. A memorandum of understanding, vetted by legal councils and intellectual property/copyright officers of institutions involved, was signed a few months ago. While the terms of the agreement are confidential, I can expand on the press release you've seen and try to respond to questions posted here earlier based on my own understanding of the project.
-Digitizing public domain Arabic material (monographs). No plans to digitize any Arabic material published in countries outside the Islamic world.
-Institutions involved may either provide content to be digitized under NYU's supervision or may do the digitization themselves or through outsourcing.
-The MOU contains clear statements of the process, related intellectual property guidelines, and specifications for imaging, metadata, and transfer. (A "Copyright Guidelines" document for determining the applicable copyright terms of materials under the laws of their COO includes country by country listings, with the cutoff dates, which are largely determined by the date on which each country signed on to the Berne Convention).
-OCR will eventually be added (when a "decent Arabic OCR software that can capture all the different 'forms' of Arabic" can be found).

Thanks
--A.


From: melanet-l-/***@public.gmane.org [mailto:melanet-l-/***@public.gmane.org] On Behalf Of Jonathan Rodgers
Sent: Wednesday, July 31, 2013 6:15 PM
To: MELANET-L
Subject: Re: [MELANET-L] RE: NYU Announces Project to Create Arabic Collections Online, An Arabic-Language Digital Public Library

Of course if the text can be ocr'd to produce searchable text behind the images, then that feature would put the project at a considerable advantage, compared to any other ventures, such as HathiTrust adn Google Books, where some feeble attempts at ocr have been undertaken with useless results.
JR

On Wed, Jul 31, 2013 at 5:18 PM, Guy Burak <guy.burak-RWB/***@public.gmane.org<mailto:guy.burak-RWB/***@public.gmane.org>> wrote:
Good afternoon,

The project is a collaboration of several institutions: Columbia, Cornell, Princeton, AUB and NYU.

As to copyright issues: the scope of the project is determined by the copyright laws in the different countries. It includes only books that are considered public domains.

OCR - unfortunately, at this point it appears that the collection will not be searchable, because OCR doesn't handle very well Arabic script. Hopefully, this will change in the future.

Guy

Guy Burak
The Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies Librarian
The Elmer Holmes Bobst Library,
New York University
70 Washington Square South (room 506)
New York, NY 10012
E-mail: guy.burak-RWB/***@public.gmane.org<mailto:guy.burak-RWB/***@public.gmane.org>

On Wed, Jul 31, 2013 at 4:57 PM, Jonathan Rodgers <jrodgers-63aXycvo3TyHXe+***@public.gmane.org<mailto:jrodgers-63aXycvo3TyHXe+***@public.gmane.org>> wrote:
Except the mention of public domain.

On Wed, Jul 31, 2013 at 3:58 PM, Dougherty, Roberta <***@yale.edu<mailto:roberta.dougherty-***@public.gmane.org>> wrote:
Hi guys, were you approached about joining this initiative? I note that the release indicates that NYU is "in discussion" with other institutions.

The release says nothing about how they are planning to deal with copyright issues.

Robin D.

From: melanet-l-/***@public.gmane.org<mailto:melanet-l-/***@public.gmane.org> [mailto:melanet-l-/***@public.gmane.org<mailto:melanet-l-/***@public.gmane.org>] On Behalf Of Jonathan Rodgers
Sent: Wednesday, July 31, 2013 3:31 PM
To: MELANET-L
Subject: Re: [MELANET-L] RE: NYU Announces Project to Create Arabic Collections Online, An Arabic-Language Digital Public Library

I wonder if OCR will produce Arabic text behind the images?
JR

On Wed, Jul 31, 2013 at 3:20 PM, Dougherty, Roberta <***@yale.edu<mailto:roberta.dougherty-***@public.gmane.org>> wrote:
Wow!!!

Robin D.

From: melanet-l-/***@public.gmane.org<mailto:melanet-l-/***@public.gmane.org> [mailto:melanet-l-/***@public.gmane.org<mailto:melanet-l-/***@public.gmane.org>] On Behalf Of Ali Houissa
Sent: Wednesday, July 31, 2013 2:22 PM
To: melanet-l-/***@public.gmane.org<mailto:melanet-l-/***@public.gmane.org>
Subject: [MELANET-L] NYU Announces Project to Create Arabic Collections Online, An Arabic-Language Digital Public Library

NYU Announces Project to Create Arabic Collections Online, An Arabic-Language Digital Public Library

April 10, 2013
N-257, 2012-13

Five-year project aims to digitize up to 153,000 volumes per year from each partner institution.

New York University Libraries<http://library.nyu.edu>, a leader in digital library development, has announced the creation of Arabic Collections Online (ACO), a major project to create a publicly available, digital library of public-domain Arabic language content.&nbsp; NYU Libraries will create a website for the project to make the content accessible to the public worldwide.

Funded by New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), this mass digitization project aims to expose up to 153,000 volumes from NYU and partner per year from each institutions over for a period of five years.

"We are delighted that we and NYU Abu Dhabi can make this major contribution to scholarship and bring great library collections of Arabic materials to a wide audience," says Dean of Libraries Carol A. Mandel.

NYU and the partner institutions will contribute all types of material-literature, business, science, and more--from their Arabic language collections. NYU Libraries Digital Library Technology Services will develop and manage the on-line interface, creating a web portal accessible to the public around the world.

"Arabic Collections Online brings the rich content of Arabic publications held in American libraries not only to universities worldwide, but to secondary schools and readers throughout the Arabic speaking world," notes Ginny Danielson, director of the NYUAD library.&nbsp; "It truly enhances reading and research opportunities for Arabic speakers globally."

ACO will provide access to printed books drawn from rich Arabic collections of prominent American libraries. Columbia, Cornell, and Princeton Universities are among the partners in the project with NYU.&nbsp; It is very likely that some of the books ACO will digitize may not be available elsewhere in any format.

"The scope of the ACO digitization project is unprecedented, and its potential for democratizing access to printed Arabic materials will make it an important first-stop for future scholars," said Elias Muhanna, Assistant Professor Comparative Literature & Middle East Studies, Brown University.

NYU chose the initial partners based on their extensive Arabic language collections and their commitment to high standards of digital preservation. The libraries of Princeton, Columbia, Cornell, and NYU have collaborated on a variety of digital access projects. NYU is in discussion with other institutions to include their participation in the project.

The NYU Division of Libraries<http://library.nyu.edu> comprises five libraries in Manhattan and one each in Abu Dhabi and Shanghai. Its flagship, the Elmer Holmes Bobst Library on Washington Square, houses more than four million volumes and received 3 million visits last year. Around the world the Libraries offers access to more than 800,000 electronic journals, books, and databases; its website received 2.4 million visits last year. For more information about the NYU Libraries, please visit http://library.nyu.edu

NYU Abu Dhabi<http://nyuad.nyu.edu/> consists of a highly selective liberal arts and science college (including engineering) and a world center for advanced research and scholarship - all fully integrated with each other and connected to NYU in New York. Together, NYU New York and NYU Abu Dhabi form the backbone of a unique global network university, with faculty and students from either New York or Abu Dhabi spending "semesters away" at one or more of the numerous study-abroad sites NYU maintains on five continents.



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Jonathan Rodgers
2013-08-01 23:11:30 UTC
Permalink
The question, not yet asked because it might seem impertinent or impolite,
is why was the project launched at all, when most if not all the materials
that might be digitized have already been digitized by Google and resides
in HathiTrust and Google books? What am I missing here?

Jonathan Rodgers


On Aug 1, 2013, at 14:21, Ali Houissa <ah16-***@public.gmane.org> wrote:

Hi—

Arabic Collections Online (ACO), lead and managed by NYU, is a major
project, which had been under discussion for more than a couple of years.
As described in the
announcement<http://www.nyu.edu/about/news-publications/news/2013/04/10/nyu-announces-project-to-create-arabic-collections-online-an-arabic-language-digital-public-library1.html>,
initial partners include NYU, Columbia, Cornell, NYPL and Princeton. A
memorandum of understanding, vetted by legal councils and intellectual
property/copyright officers of institutions involved, was signed a few
months ago. While the terms of the agreement are confidential, I can expand
on the press release you’ve seen and try to respond to questions posted
here earlier based on my own understanding of the project.

-Digitizing public domain Arabic material (monographs). No plans to
digitize any Arabic material published in countries outside the Islamic
world.

-Institutions involved may either provide content to be digitized under
NYU's supervision or may do the digitization themselves or through
outsourcing.

-The MOU contains clear statements of the process, related intellectual
property guidelines, and specifications for imaging, metadata, and
transfer. (A “Copyright Guidelines” document for determining the applicable
copyright terms of materials under the laws of their COO includes country
by country listings, with the cutoff dates, which are largely determined by
the date on which each country signed on to the Berne Convention).

-OCR will eventually be added (when a “decent Arabic OCR software that can
capture all the different 'forms' of Arabic” can be found).



Thanks

--A.





*From:* melanet-l-/***@public.gmane.org
[mailto:melanet-l-/***@public.gmane.org<melanet-l-/***@public.gmane.org>]
*On Behalf Of *Jonathan Rodgers
*Sent:* Wednesday, July 31, 2013 6:15 PM
*To:* MELANET-L
*Subject:* Re: [MELANET-L] RE: NYU Announces Project to Create Arabic
Collections Online, An Arabic-Language Digital Public Library



Of course if the text can be ocr'd to produce searchable text behind the
images, then that feature would put the project at a considerable
advantage, compared to any other ventures, such as HathiTrust adn Google
Books, where some feeble attempts at ocr have been undertaken with useless
results.

JR



On Wed, Jul 31, 2013 at 5:18 PM, Guy Burak <guy.burak-RWB/***@public.gmane.org> wrote:

Good afternoon,



The project is a collaboration of several institutions: Columbia, Cornell,
Princeton, AUB and NYU.



As to copyright issues: the scope of the project is determined by the
copyright laws in the different countries. It includes only books that are
considered public domains.



OCR - unfortunately, at this point it appears that the collection will not
be searchable, because OCR doesn't handle very well Arabic script.
Hopefully, this will change in the future.



Guy


Guy Burak

The Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies Librarian

The Elmer Holmes Bobst Library,
New York University
70 Washington Square South (room 506)
New York, NY 10012
E-mail: guy.burak-RWB/***@public.gmane.org



On Wed, Jul 31, 2013 at 4:57 PM, Jonathan Rodgers <jrodgers-63aXycvo3TyHXe+***@public.gmane.org>
wrote:

Except the mention of public domain.



On Wed, Jul 31, 2013 at 3:58 PM, Dougherty, Roberta <
roberta.dougherty-***@public.gmane.org> wrote:

Hi guys, were you approached about joining this initiative? I note that the
release indicates that NYU is “in discussion” with other institutions.



The release says nothing about how they are planning to deal with copyright
issues.



Robin D.



*From:* melanet-l-/***@public.gmane.org [mailto:melanet-l-/***@public.gmane.org] *On
Behalf Of *Jonathan Rodgers
*Sent:* Wednesday, July 31, 2013 3:31 PM
*To:* MELANET-L
*Subject:* Re: [MELANET-L] RE: NYU Announces Project to Create Arabic
Collections Online, An Arabic-Language Digital Public Library



I wonder if OCR will produce Arabic text behind the images?

JR



On Wed, Jul 31, 2013 at 3:20 PM, Dougherty, Roberta <
roberta.dougherty-***@public.gmane.org> wrote:

Wow!!!



Robin D.



*From:* melanet-l-/***@public.gmane.org [mailto:melanet-l-/***@public.gmane.org] *On
Behalf Of *Ali Houissa
*Sent:* Wednesday, July 31, 2013 2:22 PM
*To:* melanet-l-/***@public.gmane.org
*Subject:* [MELANET-L] NYU Announces Project to Create Arabic Collections
Online, An Arabic-Language Digital Public Library


NYU Announces Project to Create Arabic Collections Online, An
Arabic-Language Digital Public Library

April 10, 2013
N-257, 2012-13

*Five-year project aims to digitize up to 153,000 volumes per year from
each partner institution.*

New York University Libraries <http://library.nyu.edu>, a leader in digital
library development, has announced the creation of Arabic Collections
Online (ACO), a major project to create a publicly available, digital
library of public-domain Arabic language content.&nbsp; NYU Libraries will
create a website for the project to make the content accessible to the
public worldwide.

Funded by New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), this mass digitization
project aims to expose up to 153,000 volumes from NYU and partner per year
from each institutions over for a period of five years.

“We are delighted that we and NYU Abu Dhabi can make this major
contribution to scholarship and bring great library collections of Arabic
materials to a wide audience,” says Dean of Libraries Carol A. Mandel.

NYU and the partner institutions will contribute all types of
material—literature, business, science, and more--from their Arabic
language collections. NYU Libraries Digital Library Technology Services
will develop and manage the on-line interface, creating a web portal
accessible to the public around the world.

“Arabic Collections Online brings the rich content of Arabic publications
held in American libraries not only to universities worldwide, but to
secondary schools and readers throughout the Arabic speaking world,” notes
Ginny Danielson, director of the NYUAD library.&nbsp; “It truly enhances
reading and research opportunities for Arabic speakers globally.”

ACO will provide access to printed books drawn from rich Arabic collections
of prominent American libraries. Columbia, Cornell, and Princeton
Universities are among the partners in the project with NYU.&nbsp; It is
very likely that some of the books ACO will digitize may not be available
elsewhere in any format.

“The scope of the ACO digitization project is unprecedented, and its
potential for democratizing access to printed Arabic materials will make it
an important first-stop for future scholars,” said Elias Muhanna, Assistant
Professor Comparative Literature & Middle East Studies, Brown University.

NYU chose the initial partners based on their extensive Arabic language
collections and their commitment to high standards of digital preservation.
The libraries of Princeton, Columbia, Cornell, and NYU have collaborated on
a variety of digital access projects. NYU is in discussion with other
institutions to include their participation in the project.

The NYU Division of Libraries <http://library.nyu.edu> comprises five
libraries in Manhattan and one each in Abu Dhabi and Shanghai. Its
flagship, the Elmer Holmes Bobst Library on Washington Square, houses more
than four million volumes and received 3 million visits last year. Around
the world the Libraries offers access to more than 800,000 electronic
journals, books, and databases; its website received 2.4 million visits
last year. For more information about the NYU Libraries, please visit
http://library.nyu.edu

NYU Abu Dhabi <http://nyuad.nyu.edu/> consists of a highly selective
liberal arts and science college (including engineering) and a world center
for advanced research and scholarship — all fully integrated with each
other and connected to NYU in New York. Together, NYU New York and NYU Abu
Dhabi form the backbone of a unique global network university, with faculty
and students from either New York or Abu Dhabi spending “semesters away” at
one or more of the numerous study-abroad sites NYU maintains on five
continents.
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Ali Houissa
2013-08-02 13:11:26 UTC
Permalink
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