Project Gutenberg -

The library is built and maintained primarily by volunteers who digitize, proofread, and format the texts.

is the world's first and largest provider of free electronic books (e-books), hosting a library of over 75,000 titles . Founded in 1971 by Michael S. Hart, it focuses on digitizing and distributing literature for which U.S. copyright has expired, making it a cornerstone of the public domain movement. Core Mission and Philosophy Project Gutenberg

: While primarily known for classic literature, the collection includes audiobooks, maps, and specialized data sets. The library is built and maintained primarily by

: This key partner site facilitates the conversion of scanned physical books into e-books through a collaborative online process. Legal and Technical Framework Permission How-to - Project Gutenberg Hart, it focuses on digitizing and distributing literature

The project operates under the philosophy that literature and information should be accessible to everyone at little to no cost.

: Although heavily English-centric (over 21,000 books as of 2008), it hosts significant collections in French, German, Finnish, Dutch, and dozens of other languages.

: The initiative aims to break down barriers to education and personal betterment by enabling unlimited redistribution of classic works. Collection and Operations