The Library of Congress has launched a fascinating experiment: crowdsourced collection enhancement, transcription and curation. Using the LOC’s Concordia software tool, volunteers can assist in the tagging of photos and in several transcription projects including a project called “Letters to Lincoln” in which the goal is to transcribe 28,000 pages of letters written to the 16th president by well wishers, special pleaders and friends. Once the transcription process is complete, the results will be searchable through the LOC.
As more and more records are digitized using production grade scanners, look for more projects like LOC Crowdsource that will help keep volunteers engaged while also expanding access to public records.