Tool Evaluation Assignment Survey
We were tasked to look at a specific digital humanities tool and answer the following questions below. The project I chose was CHARLES DARWIN’S LIBRARY. http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/collection/darwinlibrary
1. Can you describe this project in one sentence?
This project aims to digitise and make a transcript of Charles Darwin’s entire library right down to the last detail of his annotations and markings.
2. What sources is it using?
It uses any book that could have been found in Charles Darwin’s library
3. Who built this?
It was built by the Biodiversity Heritage Library (BHL)
4. Does it have an argument?
It does not have a significant argument, although one can discern from the information provided on the website that the Charles Darwin Library is not for the overt purpose of simply documenting Charles Darwin’s library so much as understanding the way he worked through studying his annotations and notes on his books.
5. Who built this and what kind of technology does it use?
It was built by the Biodiversity Heritage Library (BHL) and uses digital imaging technology (such as scanners), along with their own specific and dedicated tools to review and read annotations – according to their website, “BHL is building APIs to allow individual users and data providers to remix and reuse BHL content.” An example of their own technology would be the Darwin’s Library transcription pane, which allows users to see exactly transcripts of what annotations Darwin had made at their exact locations.
6. Why do you think the authors chose the format they did?
I believe the digital format was chosen in order to allow anyone around the world (provided they have an internet connection) to access the library. In a way, it works very much like an open-source library that is open to feedback and contributions from any of their users. It makes the project highly community based and engaging for the user base.