On a collection page, either click More at the bottom of the description summary or, click the About tab.

Can I add admins to my collection?

Yes. Collections can have multiple admins.

To add an admin please send us the email address of the archive.org account that you wish to be added (please have an account created with that email address first).

(Note: Admins have editing privileges to all items in a collection regardless whether they uploaded it or not, so please add admins with that in mind.)

How do I add an image/logo to my collection page?

If you have an existing collection, you can add or change the image on the collection page.

1. Log in and drag & drop an image file over the existing image to the left of the title.
2. Or, mouse over the existing image, click Select and choose a file.
3. Click Submit and wait for the tasks to complete. Refresh the page.

Where are sub-collections/related collections?

Sub-collections — When a collection has sub-collections you can find them by clicking the collections facet link in the left-hand column.

Related Collections — When a collection has related collections they are listed on the left in the About tab on the collection page.

Why can’t I add my item to any collection?

Except for the public collections (Community Texts, Community Audio, Community Video, Community Media), all collections are restricted to the uploader of the items in that collection.

Internet Archive has also created some restricted collections.

If you feel your item belongs in one of those collections, contact us with your request to move it.

• Please send it from the email address of the account that created the item.
• Please include the URL of the item page.

Here is a sample template for email:

How do I move an item into my collection?

Only Internet Archive admins can move items to other collections.

Please contact us at info@archive.org. Please include the URL of the item to move and the collection to where it should be moved.

Why is my item not appearing in my collection?

Typically there are two reasons for this:

1. The item was unintentionally uploaded to a Community collection.
2. The item is not yet in the search engine.

All item creation tasks need to run before it will be indexed. Indexing takes about 20 minutes once the tasks are complete.

You can click the History link on the item page to check the status of the tasks.

If all else fails, please contact us rather than re-uploading. We can usually solve the problem.

Can I have items that are different media types in my collection?

This is not ideal, but it is possible.

Typically any upload to a collection will automatically inherit the media type of the collection (texts, movies, audio, software, image, etc.). If your item is not intended to be the media type of the collection, you may upload it to a public collection and then send a request to us to move it at info@archive.org. Here is an email template:

On archive.org, a collection is a group of item pages organized under a collections page. It is a collection of items that you have uploaded to the Internet Archive.

You will find your collections here:

How do I create a collection?

Collections can only be created for you by Internet Archive admins.

Because we receive so many requests for collections, it is our policy to only build a collection for users who have a minimum of 50 items (an item is a web page) created on archive.org that are related and of the same subject. Until you have a collection, your items will remain in a public open source collection.

Once you have reached this threshold (minimum of 50 items), please contact us and we will be happy to build a collection for your items.

It may take up to two weeks to have your collection created.

To create a collection we will need:

1. The email address of the account that uploaded the content.

2. A list of the item links or a search query which will identify only your items.

3. The name and a brief description (to be used on your collection page) of your organization and/or the material housed in the collection.

4. A suggested identifier (the tail of the URL) for the collection page. (Please use meaningful words and it should be 5-80 characters, letters, and numbers only, no spaces or special characters.)

5. At least one Subject tag that describes the collection

6. (Optional) The logo you would like to display in the upper right-hand corner of the collection page and items. Best if it is at least 500p x 500p or, at least 500px wide or high.

7. The archive.org account email address(es) that you would like to have administrative privileges for this collection. (These addresses will be able to upload directly to the collection as well as edit information about the collection).

Once your collection is created, any existing items will be moved to it and you will have admin privileges to upload to it.

Collection requests should be sent to info@archive.org.

How do I upload a new item to my collection?

In the upload form, you may click the Collection cell.

If you are logged in with the account that has admin privileges, you should see the title of the collection in the drop-down for you to select.

Can I have items that are different media types in my collection?

This is not ideal, but it is possible.

Typically any upload to a collection will automatically inherit the media type of the collection (texts, movies, audio, software, image, etc.)

If your item is not intended to be the media type of the collection, you may upload it to a public collection and then send a request to move it to info@archive.org.

Here is an email template:

The Internet Archive Access Policy outlines the principles and guidelines for providing universal access to the materials and collections held within the Internet Archive, a non-profit research library. As an organization committed to democratizing knowledge, the Internet Archive strives to ensure that its resources are accessible to all users, irrespective of their physical abilities, geographical location, economic status, or institutional affiliation. By providing universal access, the Internet Archive seeks to empower users with knowledge and foster intellectual curiosity for the betterment of society.

2. Access Principles

a) Universal Access: The Internet Archive is dedicated to providing free and open access to its collections to promote education, research, and public interest globally.

b) Access for Users with Print Disabilities: The Internet Archive provides access to materials in special formats for users with print disabilities.

c) Non-Discrimination: Access to the Internet Archive’s resources shall not be denied or restricted based on factors such as race, ethnicity, gender, nationality, religion, disability, or social status.

d) Preservation of Cultural Diversity: The Internet Archive acknowledges the importance of preserving and promoting cultural diversity and aims to reflect this in the diversity of its collections.

3. Access Channels

a) Online Access: The Internet Archive provides online access to its collections through its website, allowing users to search, browse, and retrieve materials digitally.

b) Physical Access: In cases where materials are not available digitally or are restricted due to copyright, the Internet Archive may allow on-site access for research purposes, subject to appropriate security and handling measures.

4. User Responsibilities

a) Terms of Use: The Internet Archive’s Terms of Use governs patrons’ use of the collection of Web pages and other digital content available through the Internet Archive.

5. Special Access Programs

a) Special Collections: The Internet Archive may establish special access programs for certain collections that require additional security measures or have limited public availability due to sensitive content or copyright restrictions.

b) Educational Initiatives: The Internet Archive may collaborate with educational institutions and researchers to provide tailored access to specific collections for educational and research purposes.

6. Accessibility Considerations

The Internet Archive strives to make its digital resources accessible to individuals with disabilities, ensuring compliance with accessibility standards and providing alternative formats when feasible.

7. Data Privacy

The Internet Archive is committed to protecting the privacy of its users and adheres to relevant privacy laws and regulations.

8. Review and Revision

This Access Policy will be periodically reviewed to ensure that it remains aligned with the Internet Archive’s mission and adheres to evolving legal and ethical considerations. Any updates or changes will be communicated transparently to users.

Last updated August 29, 2023#Archive.org#collections#library

The Internet Archive Library Collection Development Policy outlines the principles, guidelines, and procedures for the acquisition, management, and preservation of materials within the collections of the Internet Archive, a non-profit research library. This policy aims to ensure that the Archive’s research collections are diverse, comprehensive, and aligned with its mission of providing “Universal Access to All Knowledge.”

2. Scope

As a research library, the Internet Archive works to collect and provide online access to a wide range of materials, including texts, audio, video, images, web pages, software, and more. The scope of the collections shall be broad, covering various subjects, historical periods, and cultural contexts. The primary focus of the Internet Archive is to preserve and provide access to materials of enduring value for research, education, and public interest.

3. Selection Criteria

Materials eligible for inclusion in the Internet Archive’s collections should meet the following criteria:

a) Research Interest: The material should be of interest and value to researchers, historians, scholars, people with print disabilities, and the general public.

b) Relevance: The material should align with the Internet Archive’s mission and scope, including but not limited to historical, cultural, scientific, and artistic significance.

c) Originality: Preference will be given to unique, rare, or hard-to-find materials that are not widely available elsewhere.

d) Format: The Internet Archive collects materials in various formats, including text, audio, video, images, web pages, software, and more.

4. Collection Development Areas

The Internet Archive’s collections are organized into the following development areas, which serve as guidelines for acquiring and preserving materials:

a) Web Archiving: A continuous effort to preserve web pages, websites, and online content to document the evolution of the internet.

b) Historical Documents: Texts, images, and multimedia materials that provide valuable insights into historical events, cultural heritage, and societal changes.

c) Books and Serials: A comprehensive collection of monographic and serial publications, enabling access to a vast repository of published literature and knowledge.

d) Audio and Music: A diverse collection of audio recordings, music albums, interviews, podcasts, and speeches.

e) Video and Moving Images: A wide range of audiovisual content, including television news, documentaries, newsreels, public domain films, and web videos.

f) Software and Games: A collection of software, applications, and games spanning various platforms and historical periods.

g) Datasets: Research data and other materials for computational analysis.

5. Collection Development Process

a) Material Acquisition: The Internet Archive sources materials from multiple channels, including purchase, direct contributions from individuals, partnerships with institutions, and web crawling for web archiving.

b) Preservation and Access: The Internet Archive follows best practices in digital preservation to ensure long-term accessibility of materials. Efforts are made to provide open access to the collections, while respecting copyright and licensing restrictions.

c) Deaccessioning: Materials may be removed from the collections or made inaccessible for use by the public, in the Internet Archive’s discretion and in light of its mission.

6. Collaboration and Partnerships

The Internet Archive actively seeks collaboration and partnerships with libraries, archives, museums, and other cultural institutions to enhance its collections and facilitate knowledge sharing.

7. Review and Revision

This Collection Development Policy shall be reviewed periodically to ensure its relevance and effectiveness in achieving the Internet Archive’s mission. Amendments and updates will be made as necessary and approved by the Internet Archive’s leadership.

Last updated August 29, 2023#Archive.org#collections#library