--- url: /everyone/history.md --- # History * In **2005**, the Internet Archive co-founded the [Open Content Alliance (OCA)](https://web.archive.org/web/20191230215831/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_Content_Alliance) to digitize and archive the world’s books. * circa **2006**, Open Library (originally [The Pharos Project](https://web.archive.org/web/20080315233442/http://pharos.infogami.com/spec)) was conceived, as a card catalog for every published book. Since its inception, OpenLibrary.org has aspired to enable patrons to access [readable digital editions](https://web.archive.org/web/20080121231120/http://demo.openlibrary.org/b/Heartbreaking_of_Genius_0) (where available) of open access, public domain, and unrestricted books. * In **2007** the Internet Archive received [Special Library](https://web.archive.org/web/20150914165436/http://blog.librarylaw.com/librarylaw/2007/07/internet-archiv.html?cid=77778944#comment-6a00d8341c69e553ef00e3981f224f8833) (Rush Brandis, California State Library) [classification](http://old.post-gazette.com/pg/07175/796164-96.stm) by the State of California. This same year, Aaron Swartz gave a seminal [talk](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQuIjwcEPv8) about Open Library and its roadmap at Harvard University's Berkman Klein Center. * In **2011**, the Internet Archive piloted an online [lending program](https://blog.archive.org/2011/02/22/in-library-ebook-lending-program-launched/) on OpenLibrary.org, in collaboration with several [OCA partners](http://web.archive.org/web/20110430161803/http://openlibrary.org/libraries). * In **2013**, Open Library's co-founder [Aaron Swartz](http://aaronsw.com) [passed away](https://blog.openlibrary.org/2013/01/12/rest-in-peace-aaron-swartz/) * In **2014**, the Internet Archive received a [grant](https://web.archive.org/web/20190426090129/https://library.ca.gov/Content/pdf/grantpdf/narrative-report/40-8343_NAR2.pdf) under the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) from the California State Library system to support the digitization of books and the development of OpenLibrary.org as an online lending library service. After the completion of the grant, the Open Library entered a period of hiatus, without full-time staff, and was considered for [sunset](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunset_\(computing\)). * In **2015**, the Open Library project was kept on life support through the significant shared efforts of Jessamyn West, Giovanni Damiola, and Brenton Cheng. * In **2016**, the program transitioned leadership to Mek who worked to stabilize the project and rebooted its open source [community](https://github.com/internetarchive/openlibrary/graphs/contributors) of volunteers, adding key improvements, such as the “[Want to Read](https://blog.openlibrary.org/2017/12/27/a-holiday-gift-from-open-library-introducing-the-reading-log/)” button and a mobile redesign. Among these volunteers, were Charles Horn, Drini Cami, Jim Champ, Lisa Seaberg, and later Scott Barnes, and Rebecca Shoptaw, all of whom eventually transitioned to staff on Open Library or adjacent projects within the Internet Archive. * In **2019**, Open Library [launched](https://boingboing.net/2019/10/22/hathi-never-forgets.html) the [Book Sponsorship program](https://web.archive.org/web/20191104221524/https://openlibrary.org/sponsorship), enabling the community to help fund the digitization of books missing from the lending program. * In **2020**, Open Library invested in modernizing and simplifying its infrastructure by (upgrading to [Python3](https://github.com/internetarchive/openlibrary/issues/3333), establishing a monthly [import pipeline](https://github.com/internetarchive/openlibrary-bots/tree/master/BWBImportBot), and switching its services to use Docker). The team also made key improvement to simplify the [patron experience](https://github.com/internetarchive/openlibrary/issues/684) by merging the works and editions pages into a single "books" page. Finally, an effort was undertaken to increase [discovery](https://twitter.com/borrowbot) & adoption of the platform by book lovers. During this year, the COVID pandemic spread, impacting the livelihood and wellbeing of millions internationally. Many libraries and schools were mandated to lockdown, limiting public access to education and information. These challenges accelerated the shift towards online access and, given this change in dynamics, several prominent publishers opted to target the Internet Archive for its practice of controlled digital lending. * In **2021** (Being the Internet’s best Open Book Catalog), we focused on imports, partnerships, search, and becoming the Open Book Catalog for the Internet. * In [**2022**](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1szK5X2RPJl1hZ2cYiv9zw7QOn1I_QSJkCHckHi6Ue2c/edit) (Improving core Service Design for patrons), we focused on increasing direct value to patrons by improving the core usability and experience of the service: book page mobile design, edition-level search, better site navigation, and performance. * In [**2023**](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-N_Tyqa7Uex24lxDwO-PiQs1y3pjYAXSpYtwzAi2OH0/edit) (Understanding & serving key audiences more effectively), having plucked low hanging fruit and achieved feature parity with many different services, it became essential for Open Library to clarify its unique value proposition and did so by conducting design research with its patrons. * In [**2024**](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1cHM-P0DCSSfrfezgKdESqri3JJ9Zka6xoHbuuKcEwHg/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.n0o9aed9lyeh) (Strategic Alignment & Planning), amidst power outages, book bans, lending limitations imposed from lawsuits, and cybersecurity incidents, the Open Library applied these learnings through strategic planning, to align and focus our efforts with the broader organization to build a defensible library future. * In [**2025**](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FdhNnT83uBMC6gjXl4w_VeYEyqXfnM6iwGgvYg9Wl0A/edit), in a post-lawsuit world where hundreds of thousands of books have been removed from library lending, the Open Library has reason to focus and re-align its offerings with the essential use cases of the audiences who most depend on its services. Our goal for the year is achieving *more with less*. The plan for the year is to achieve this through 3 vectors: 1. 🎯 Focusing on the *essential use cases* of *underserved audiences* whose circumstances, needs, and essential use-cases align with our strengths and mission. 2. 🍋→🥤 Expanding with new sources of relevant books and squeezing as much value out of the books we have, to make them more findable, assessable, accessible, and useful. 3. 👥 *Growing capacity* by enabling autonomous contributions and streamlining operations. * In [**2026**](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1g1r3MPkSglFdQtIURiQnfQfZSmPAcNhoHoPEyXEddKo/edit?tab=t.qdeebt8v65cn#heading=h.9yl2h1qsmyvu) Open Library is focusing on operationalizing its [core vitals](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QBKvbCXEWrBgsGT_bQdrCOmQGM9JEvypRbiDUOS8yHQ/edit?tab=t.sauoq2b3kt0j#heading=h.obrmtit244no) (content -> retention -> participation) into a basic value loop that can help us recalibrate and evaluate our offerings and generate lasting value for our patrons. ## Themes & Opportunities * Empower Patrons with Librarian 🦉 Give every patron a Magic Bookpack with the ability to enable frictionless, high value * Growing an international Open Library network of strategic partners, greater than the sum of its parts