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NYPL Digital Gallery Open to Public
mountiealpha writes "The New York Public Library has digitized over 275,000 images from their colletions, and made them freely available available online. The 'NYPL Digital Gallery provides access to over 275,000 images digitized from primary sources and printed rarities in the collections of The New York Public Library, including illuminated manuscripts, historical maps, vintage posters, rare prints and photographs, illustrated books, printed ephemera, and more.'" Update: 03/04 17:30 GMT by Z : They're updating the site to handle high traffic volumes, but there is an informational page available with details on the site.
Libraries are free - as in speach. You want free as in beer.
init 11 - for when you need that edge.
That would be fine if the institutions were 100% publicly funded, but they're not. They have to make up the difference somehow - public radio and television stations have to conduct fund drives and court corporate sponsors and charitable foundations. Their information doesn't belong solely to the public. Selling additional products and services over and above the fundamental purpose of the institution allows them to increase the quality of their services and provide a few extras.
I don't know whether NYPL is 100% public or not, but it looks like they did get outside help in the form of grants for this project.
perl -e 'foreach(values %SIG){$_="IGNORE";}while(){}'
Quote: "I don't get why publically-funded institutions can charge for their services like this. "
Kind of like paying to pay to get into a tax-subsidized stadium to see a sports event.
Kind of like paying tuition at public universities.
Kind of like paying for a stamp when the USPS was a part of the government.
Kind of like getting a tax assesment to fund the local library.
Kind of like paying a sewer bill.
Kind of like paying to use a public golf course.
Kind of like paying to get into a national or state park.
Kind of like paying your dues to the Lions, and donating extra for a certain project.
Kind of like paying the parking meter at the national mall.
Kind or like paying a toll on a public turnpike/bridge/tunnel.
Quote: "Is this fair?"
Response quote: "Life is pain, Highness. Anyone who says differently is selling something."
These things may or not be fair, but public libraries charging for non-basic services shouldn't be a big surprise.
Exam 4/C again. Maybe I'll do better this time.