Open Access

California Digital Library

Formerly known as American Memory, this extraordinary collection of primary documents includes maps, diaries, letters, photographs, and audio & video materials. It chronicles life in the United States, spanning pre-colonial times to the present day. Researchers can browse by topic, time period, place, or can perform a guided search.

The Smithsonian Library's 'Digital Library' contains digital publications, collections and objects including online exhibitions, webcasts, digital editions, bibliographies and fact sheets, and finding aids for collections in Art & Design, History & Culture, Natural & Physical Sciences.

"The Texas Digital Library (TDL) is a consortium of higher education institutions in Texas that provides shared services in support of research and teaching. Its mission is to enable each of its member libraries to advance a program of digital initiatives in support of research, scholarship, and learning in Texas."

Another version of open access is playing out among American universities: "In 2001, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology started placing materials for its courses online--and making them available for anyone to use, at no cost...." The site currently contains materials on over 2,000 courses and has been a huge success. Thousands of people use the MIT materials each day.