▲ 1006 ▼ World's largest open library calls for volunteers to scan and preserve physical books as AI companies buy, scan, and destroy them — Anna's Archive says ‘time is running out’ as ‘knowledge is permanent (www.tomshardware.com) submitted 1 month ago by themachinestops@lemmy.dbzer0.com to c/technology@lemmy.world 125 comments fedilink hide all child comments cross-posted from: https://kbin.earth/m/piracy@lemmy.dbzer0.com/t/3120649 As AI tech companies increasingly buy and destroy books to feed to their AI models, Anna's Archive is calling for volunteers to help preserve them for the public record.
[–] vala@lemmy.dbzer0.com 15 points 1 month ago (7 children) I own some rare books but no book scanner. What should I do? permalink fedilink source hideshow 7 child comments replies: [–] tb_@lemmy.world 20 points 1 month ago (2 children) Those who want to conduct large-scale scans and upload many titles can reach out to the archive for support, as the archive says that it “can help pay for the scanning fees and other rewards.” permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] vala@lemmy.dbzer0.com 7 points 1 month ago (1 child) Hmm, it's just a few books but I do think they're pretty rare. Not something I'm willing to send away. I wonder if a library would be willing to help? permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 1 child comment replies: [–] njordomir@lemmy.world 13 points 1 month ago My local library has some large format scanners. I've considered using them to do my photo albums. I have the individual photos scanned and backed up, but the layout and margin notes are worth preserving also. permalink fedilink source parent [–] chiliedogg@lemmy.world 4 points 1 month ago* (1 child) If you've got some comfort with tinkering: https://www.diybookscanner.org/ permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 1 child comment replies: [–] TimeNaan@lemmy.world 1 point 1 month ago Super outdated and the guide doesn't work permalink fedilink source parent [–] Catoblepas@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 1 month ago (1 child) If your local library doesn't own a book scanner, any colleges near you may have one. You usually don't have to be a student to walk into the library, and the book scanners I've used don't require a login. YMMV on whether this is how it's set up where you are. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 1 child comment replies: [–] vala@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 points 1 month ago I might try this. Im concerned that some of the books may still be under copyright. Not all of my rare books are that old. I collect indie poetry books and comics as well as old religious texts/pamphlets. Also concerned that some might be literally some of the only remaining copies and I really don't want to risk damaging them. permalink fedilink source parent
[–] tb_@lemmy.world 20 points 1 month ago (2 children) Those who want to conduct large-scale scans and upload many titles can reach out to the archive for support, as the archive says that it “can help pay for the scanning fees and other rewards.” permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] vala@lemmy.dbzer0.com 7 points 1 month ago (1 child) Hmm, it's just a few books but I do think they're pretty rare. Not something I'm willing to send away. I wonder if a library would be willing to help? permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 1 child comment replies: [–] njordomir@lemmy.world 13 points 1 month ago My local library has some large format scanners. I've considered using them to do my photo albums. I have the individual photos scanned and backed up, but the layout and margin notes are worth preserving also. permalink fedilink source parent
[–] vala@lemmy.dbzer0.com 7 points 1 month ago (1 child) Hmm, it's just a few books but I do think they're pretty rare. Not something I'm willing to send away. I wonder if a library would be willing to help? permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 1 child comment replies: [–] njordomir@lemmy.world 13 points 1 month ago My local library has some large format scanners. I've considered using them to do my photo albums. I have the individual photos scanned and backed up, but the layout and margin notes are worth preserving also. permalink fedilink source parent
[–] njordomir@lemmy.world 13 points 1 month ago My local library has some large format scanners. I've considered using them to do my photo albums. I have the individual photos scanned and backed up, but the layout and margin notes are worth preserving also. permalink fedilink source parent
[–] chiliedogg@lemmy.world 4 points 1 month ago* (1 child) If you've got some comfort with tinkering: https://www.diybookscanner.org/ permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 1 child comment replies: [–] TimeNaan@lemmy.world 1 point 1 month ago Super outdated and the guide doesn't work permalink fedilink source parent
[–] TimeNaan@lemmy.world 1 point 1 month ago Super outdated and the guide doesn't work permalink fedilink source parent
[–] Catoblepas@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 1 month ago (1 child) If your local library doesn't own a book scanner, any colleges near you may have one. You usually don't have to be a student to walk into the library, and the book scanners I've used don't require a login. YMMV on whether this is how it's set up where you are. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 1 child comment replies: [–] vala@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 points 1 month ago I might try this. Im concerned that some of the books may still be under copyright. Not all of my rare books are that old. I collect indie poetry books and comics as well as old religious texts/pamphlets. Also concerned that some might be literally some of the only remaining copies and I really don't want to risk damaging them. permalink fedilink source parent
[–] vala@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 points 1 month ago I might try this. Im concerned that some of the books may still be under copyright. Not all of my rare books are that old. I collect indie poetry books and comics as well as old religious texts/pamphlets. Also concerned that some might be literally some of the only remaining copies and I really don't want to risk damaging them. permalink fedilink source parent