2023:Program/ESEAP Region/CX33GC-Let's systematically back up all libraries in the world to Wikimedia Commons!
Title: Let's systematically back up all libraries in the world to Wikimedia Commons!
Speakers:
維基小霸王
Hello everyone, I am thrilled to introduce myself as a proud editor from China with a passion for Wikipedia and preserving cultural heritage. It has been an incredible journey, as I have been editing Wikipedia since the age of 12, and for the past 16 years, I have been privileged to contribute to this amazing platform in various ways. Over the years, I have written and edited numerous articles for Wikipedia, striving to bring accurate and informative content to readers from all over the world. Additionally, I have devoted my time to copying ancient texts to Wikisource, ensuring that these valuable works of literature are available to everyone. Furthermore, I have also uploaded a large amount of pictures and old books to Wikimedia Commons, thereby preserving important historical information and cultural artifacts for generations to come. As an editor, I believe in the power of collaboration and the importance of diversity in achieving our goals. Through my experiences with Wikipedia and other Wikimedia projects, I have come to appreciate the power of collective efforts and the benefits of working together towards a common goal. I am excited to attend this conference and share my knowledge and experiences with other like-minded individuals, who are also passionate about preserving and promoting cultural heritage in the digital age. I look forward to meeting and learning from all of you.
Room: Room 325
Start time: Sat, 19 Aug 2023 10:40:00 +0800
End time: Sat, 19 Aug 2023 10:50:00 +0800
Type: Lightning talk
Track: ESEAP (East, South East Asia, and the Pacific) Region
Submission state: confirmed
Duration: 10 minutes
Do not record: true
Presentation language: en
Abstract & description[edit source]
Abstract[edit source]
Throughout history, countless precious books have been lost forever due to war, censorship, and neglect. The burning of the ancient Chinese library by Qin Shi Huang and Xiang Yu, the destruction of Han Fen Lou rare books in war, and the loss of most volumes of the Yongle Encyclopedia are just a few examples of this tragic phenomenon. However, the Library Back-up Project on Wikimedia Commons aims to prevent such losses in the future by systematically backing up all surviving public domain books. By uploading, transcribing, and citing ancient books on Wikimedia Projects, we hope to preserve the memory of mankind for generations to come. Join us in this noble endeavor to safeguard our collective heritage.
Description[edit source]
Throughout history, numerous precious books and documents have been destroyed, resulting in the loss of valuable knowledge and historical records. From the burning of privately-held unorthodox books in ancient China to the devastating loss of rare books in war, these tragedies have made us acutely aware of the importance of preserving the world’s surviving books.
Fortunately, with modern technology, we now have the means to prevent such losses from happening again. The Library Back-Up Project ( https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Commons:Library_back_up_project ) is a systematic effort to digitally back up all surviving books in the public domain to Wikimedia Commons, making them accessible to everyone.
Among the many works that have been lost to history, the Yongle Encyclopedia stands out as a particularly tragic example. Although it comprised nearly 23,000 chapters and over 900,000 pages, only a fraction of it survives today. By backing up surviving works to Wikimedia Commons, we can ensure that such valuable knowledge and history will not lost forever.
Our goal is to eventually upload all ancient books to Wikimedia Commons, transcribe them in Wikisource, and cite them in Wikipedia. By doing so, we can make these works accessible to people all around the world, preserving them for future generations. As we navigate through a world fraught with political tension, conflict, and the ever-looming threat of global nuclear war, the importance of preserving our cultural heritage becomes more critical than ever before. With the destruction of books and archives being a common occurrence throughout history, there is a real sense of urgency to take action and create a “Cultural Noah’s Ark” to safeguard our collective memory. Let’s work together to prevent the loss of old books from happening and ensure that these works live on for centuries to come!
Further details[edit source]
Qn. How does your session relate to the event themes: Diversity, Collaboration Future?
The Library Back-up Project on Wikimedia Commons is not just about preserving books; it’s about fostering diversity, collaboration, and building a better future. By backing up books from all over the world, we’re not only preserving cultural heritage but also celebrating the diversity of human thought and expression.
Moreover, the Library Back-up Project is a collaborative effort that involves people from all walks of life, regardless of nationality, race, or religion. The project has already brought together volunteers from different countries, backgrounds, and ages, all working together towards a common goal of preserving our collective memory.
Through collaboration and a shared commitment to preserving cultural heritage, we can build a better future. By making these books available on a publicly accessible platform, we can ensure that everyone has access to knowledge and information, regardless of their background or economic situation.
This project is not just about the past; it’s about the future. It’s about ensuring that future generations have access to the wisdom of the past and can build upon it. It’s about preserving the knowledge and culture of our world for generations to come, and ensuring that it is protected from destruction and loss.
Qn. What is the experience level needed for the audience for your session?
Everyone can participate in this session
Qn. What is the most appropriate format for this session?
Onsite in Singapore- Remote online participation, livestreamed
- Remote from a satellite event
- Hybrid with some participants in Singapore and others dialing in remotely
Pre-recorded and available on demand
