DPLAs

The Digital Public Library of America, commonly known as DPLA, is a non-profit organization that aggregates metadata from American libraries, archives, and museums. Its primary mission is to provide free public access to digitized historical records and cultural heritage materials. DPLA acts as a discovery layer, allowing users to search across vast collections from various institutions simultaneously.

Founded in 2013, DPLA was conceived as a way to unlock the potential of digitized cultural heritage, making it more accessible to researchers, students, and the general public. It partners with over 4,000 institutions across the United States, contributing metadata and digitized content to its platform. The organization does not physically hold collections but instead links to the original sources hosted by its partner institutions.

The DPLA platform offers a user-friendly interface for searching and browsing a wide array of materials, including photographs, manuscripts, books, maps, and audiovisual recordings. It supports various educational initiatives and encourages the reuse of its aggregated data for new projects and applications. DPLA champions open access principles and works to ensure that these digital resources are available to everyone, regardless of their location or economic status. It is a significant resource for anyone interested in American history and culture.