West by East - East by West: Cultural and Technological Exchange in the Case of Global Memory Net.

Since 2000, Global Memory Net, supported by the US National Science Foundation/ International Digital Library Program, has developed to be an effective world culture and heritage digital library as well as portal which link the world's invaluable resources of libraries, museum, and archives together*. It started with its own rich digital image resources on the First Emperor of China's 7000+ terracotta warriors and horses in the ancient capital of China, Xian, and has now expanded to include many world rare and unique treasures through its aggressive collaborative as well as community building efforts. In addition, it also provides instant access to over 2400 digital collections in the world from over 80 countries, and most of which are rare books and manuscripts collections. This paper will show how Global Memory Net has enhanced the cultural and technological exchange between the West and the East in a way not possible before. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]