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Preserving the Sound of America

Posted by timothy on from the flac-and-ogg-would-be-nice dept.

jonerik writes "The Associated Press (by way of MSNBC) has this article on the Library of Congress' National Recording Registry, which 'seeks to ensure even greater protection for some of the most notable songs, speeches and other utterances.' To that end, the library's extensive collection of recordings and photos will soon be moved to a massive 41-acre complex built into the side of a mountain in Culpeper, Virginia. When construction on the site is completed - in about three years - anything stored in Culpeper should be available via computer at the library's Madison Building on Capitol Hill. The Library of Congress has been collecting recordings for almost 100 years, the first being a recording of a speech by German Emperor Wilhelm II. Since then the library has collected recorded speeches by every American President since Theodore Roosevelt, oral histories, music, radio broadcasts, and other examples of recorded sound." This sounds like a collection which will become more valuable as more people have access to the actual content of the collections.

4 of 202 comments (clear)

  1. Off-site backup? by kwoo · · Score: 5, Interesting

    It's obviously a good idea to fortify the storage site, but what kind of arrangements will they have for off-site backup?

    If these are the most important recordings, it would be a tragic loss to have a natural disaster or similar event destroy what may be the only complete recordings.

    --
    unixkb.com -- articles on practical Unix issues.
  2. Mount Pony, Culpeper, VA by sulli · · Score: 5, Interesting

    This site is a former bunker for the Federal Reserve Board and once held $1 billion in cash in case of a nuclear attack. It was transferred to the LoC in 1997. (Presumably this cash is now held elsewhere.)

    --

    sulli
    RTFJ.
  3. Re:How long before... by len_harms · · Score: 5, Interesting

    The law does. copy right office see chapter 7 section 704. The goverment is also exempt in many cases from paying IP payments.

    To get most of the extensions put forth in these laws you must submit a copy to them. Small price to pay for a 70+ year monopoly...

    Its ironic that the goverment is basicly the biggest warez collector there is! Then tells the rest of us to get stuffed!?

  4. two meanings of the word 'protected' by tato+(and+tato+only) · · Score: 5, Interesting

    It is interesting that when the Library of Congress uses the word 'protected' in regards to a sound recording they mean exactly the opposite of what the RIAA means when they use the same word.
    I like the LOC's meaning better.

    --
    tato (and tato only)
    This post is strictly opinion, including the spelling.