Traveling the World of Culture without Leaving Home
The localization of files and software programs has become more and more of a global necessity. Proof of this is the World Digital Library launched by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Anyone can access the collection of great libraries and cultural institutions around the world, in seven languages, including Portuguese. And the best part: It’s free!
The image above references the Japanese literary work Genji monogatari (Tale of Genji), by author Murasaki Shikibu. The work is considered one of the oldest novels in the world and is part of the Rare Japanese Book Collection of the US Library of Congress.
This is one of the pearls of literature and is available at the World Digital Library website at http://www.wdl.org. The library offers a huge variety of books, images, manuscripts, maps, films and recordings. All of the written material was localized, including the graphics, logos, menus and options.
To facilitate your navigation, I wrote this “Quick Start Guide” instructing how to get around the site. Each point is numbered according to the image above:
1. Language Bar: Select the dropdown list to choose one of the available languages. Press the red arrow to the right to confirm your choice.
2. Navigation Bar: For a more selective search. There are five available options: Place (divided by geographic region), Time (divided by creation and/or publication date), Topic (divided by subject), Type of Item (divided by type of material such as books, manuscripts, etc.) and Institution (divided by Cultural Institutions and Libraries).
3. Search Bar: For a more extensive search. Type what you are searching for and select the red arrow.
4. Map Search: Click on the number of items available in the region to access them or click on the photo to display the info about that specific item. To see a description of the item and the image in its regular size, you should click on the number of items link (for example, +133 Items).
5. Timeline Bar: Click on a time period to see all the works created in that period.
6. Website Bar: There are five menus in total, including Home Page (regardless of where you are on the site, select this button to return to the Home Page), About (details about the website), Help (a step by step explanation on how to use the site), Contact (web form to get in contact with the staff at WDL) and Legal (legal warnings in regards to the Library collection)
7. Website Logo: Click on the logo to return to the Home Page.
What are you waiting for? Go there and see for yourself!
Related posts: