A New Iteration of Library Simplified: The Palace Project

The Knight Foundation has provided a generous grant to The Digital Public Library of America (DPLA) and Lyrasis to launch the Palace Project. Built upon the open source Library Simplified architecture, it will be a new iteration of “the one app to rule them all”: content will launch from other platforms, including OverDrive, Baker & Taylor, Bibliotheca, and of course the DPLA’s own Content Exchange (now including Amazon Publishing titles, which are expect to be available in July), and Lyrasis’ new acquisition and partner, Biblioboard.

This development is significant because it shows that Library Simplified is growing. The pioneering New York Public Library is continuing to deploy an iteration of the app, and will be concentrating more on deployment in the New York area. Amigos and Califa are also deploying the app, as is State Of Georgia Library on its own. The new version of the app will launch in fall. We can expect the development of significant branding tools and help sheets (printable but mostly digital) for tech and patron use support.

ReadersFirst hails this development. The Palace Project harkens back to Carnegie’s vision of libraries as “Palaces for the People.” The name honors our profession’s tradition of inclusion of resources for many but transfigures any “elitist” connotation of the term palace by foregrounding libraries’ democratic mission to serve all as well as we can—in this case, getting content across many platforms to provide the easiest and most private patron experience. Library Simplified is the best example yet of an effort that realizes ReadersFirst principles, getting all content from one place, avoiding proprietary formats, being easy to use, and protecting patron information from outside entities.

Libraries that keep the first version of Library Simplified, SimplyE, will still be able to have DPLA accounts and access its unique content and variable license models. DPLA accounts remain free and (we can hope!) may soon be offering even more unique content from vendors that have not hitherto worked with libraries. With more developmental resources behind it, Palace may become an interesting option, especially for libraries interested in allowing readers to find all (or at least most) of their ebooks and digital audiobooks in one app.

RF hopes that the ability of the app to respond to accessibility commands will be enhanced even more.

DPLA has issued an invite to learn more: “We’ll be sharing more about The Palace Project at an open Coffee Chat on July 7th at 1 pm ET, please join us.”