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World's largest open library calls for volunteers to scan and preserve physical books as AI companies buy, scan, and destroy them — Anna's Archive says ‘time is running out’ as ‘knowledge is permanent (www.tomshardware.com)
submitted 2 months ago by to c/technology@lemmy.world
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As AI tech companies increasingly buy and destroy books to feed to their AI models, Anna's Archive is calling for volunteers to help preserve them for the public record.

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[–] 14 points 2 months ago (7 children)

I own some rare books but no book scanner. What should I do?

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  • [–] 19 points 2 months ago (2 children)

    Those who want to conduct large-scale scans and upload many titles can reach out to the archive for support, as the archive says that it “can help pay for the scanning fees and other rewards.”

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  • [–] 6 points 2 months ago (1 child)

    Hmm, it's just a few books but I do think they're pretty rare. Not something I'm willing to send away. I wonder if a library would be willing to help?

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  • [–] 12 points 2 months ago

    My local library has some large format scanners. I've considered using them to do my photo albums. I have the individual photos scanned and backed up, but the layout and margin notes are worth preserving also.

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  • [–] 2 points 2 months ago (1 child)

    If your local library doesn't own a book scanner, any colleges near you may have one. You usually don't have to be a student to walk into the library, and the book scanners I've used don't require a login. YMMV on whether this is how it's set up where you are.

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  • [–] 3 points 2 months ago

    I might try this. Im concerned that some of the books may still be under copyright. Not all of my rare books are that old. I collect indie poetry books and comics as well as old religious texts/pamphlets.

    Also concerned that some might be literally some of the only remaining copies and I really don't want to risk damaging them.

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