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Parents' Guide to

Digital Public Library of America

By Polly Conway, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 10+

Vast online library is a wealth of searchable info.

Website https://dp.la/
Digital Public Library of America Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this website.

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What’s It About?

The Digital Public Library of America (DPLA) is an online resource pulling together an incredible wealth of information that kids can access safely. The searchable database of more than two million records includes text, images, and video. Kids can explore a timeline by clicking on a decade of history to see what documents appear. They can also browse current site exhibitions such as \"Activism in the U.S.\" or \"Leaving Europe: A new life in America.\" A searchable map lets kids access resources specific to a particular U.S. state or region.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

Sometimes you really have to know what you're looking for; a search for "illuminated manuscript" brought up over 1500 results, but "illuminated manuscript Gothic" narrowed it down to three. This isn't the place to find a cursory summary of a subject, but you can find some wonderfully specific and fascinating pieces of archival info. The design is a bit austere and serious for younger users, but libraries have never been known for their flashiness. The forums are pretty sparse, but the site just launched in April of 2013, so expect the community to develop and grow over time.

Overall, the Digital Public Library of America is a bit like walking into the Library of Congress: amazing, but a little intimidating. As physical libraries seem to be woefully underfunded, the breadth and quality of DPLA is a wonderful surprise.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can search together by year; if your kid was born in 2002, click that date on the timeline and see the historical and cultural events that pop up.

  • What makes a digital library different from a physical library? What are the benefits of each?

Website Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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