Editorial Standards
Purpose of the catalogue
The EZIGE Public Domain Literature Library exists to make selected public-domain works accessible to readers in a curated environment. The catalogue prioritizes clarity and context, offering not just links to texts but also editorial notes that help readers orient themselves within each work. The goal is to support independent reading, research, and enjoyment of historical literature.
Scope and selection
The catalogue currently contains 96 works, all sourced from Project Gutenberg. Selection is guided by thematic coherence around travel, exploration, and cultural description. Works are chosen for their literary or historical interest, and for the availability of sufficient metadata and excerpts to produce useful editorial notes. The catalogue does not aim to be comprehensive but to offer a focused collection.
Source attribution
Every work in the catalogue is attributed to Project Gutenberg as the publisher. Author names, titles, and keywords are reproduced as supplied by that source. In cases where authorship is uncertain or dubious, this is noted in the catalogue note. No independent verification of author identity has been undertaken.
Bibliographic records
Each record includes the title as displayed by Project Gutenberg, authors, keywords (based on Library of Congress Subject Headings), and a target reader field. The target reader is uniformly set to "Readers of public-domain and historical texts" as a general description. No claims are made about the completeness or accuracy of these bibliographic elements beyond what the source provides.
Category assignment
Works are grouped into two categories: Exploring Nations, Peoples & the Past and Exploration & Survival. These categories are based on thematic affinity and are intended as navigation aids. They do not represent definitive literary judgments, and some works could reasonably appear in both categories. Category assignment is informed by the work's primary focus as indicated by its title, keywords, and catalogue note.
Editorial reading context
Each catalogue note is written by the editor, Mark Whitman, and is based on supplied excerpts and metadata. The notes are not full reviews or analyses but rather observations on structure, themes, and notable features. They aim to give readers a preliminary sense of what to expect. The editor does not claim to have read every work in full.
Edition facts and text measurements
All texts are HTML editions from Project Gutenberg. No information is provided about file size, word count, or specific edition dates, as these are not consistently available in the source data. The catalogue notes may mention publication years when present in the metadata.
Recommendations and related works
In each category guide, three recommended works are highlighted with a concrete reason for each recommendation. These are intended to help new readers find starting points. Recommendations are based on the works' thematic relevance and the editor's assessment of their interest, not on any external ratings or popularity metrics.
Corrections and reader reports
Readers who notice errors or have suggestions can contact the editor at editor@ezige.com or through the contact page at /contact-us. The catalogue is maintained by a single editor, and corrections will be considered as time permits.
Public-domain limitations
All works in the catalogue are in the public domain in the United States, based on their publication dates and the source's verification. Users outside the U.S. should verify the public-domain status in their jurisdiction. The catalogue does not provide legal advice or guarantee copyright clearance for any particular use.
Accessibility and readable presentation
The catalogue pages are designed with simple HTML and minimal styling to ensure broad accessibility. No images, scripts, or complex formatting are used. Text is presented in a linear, scannable layout. The use of semantic headings and structured sections aids navigation for screen readers.
Independence and editorial responsibility
The EZIGE library is an independent project. The editor, Mark Whitman, is solely responsible for the selection, categorization, and notes. No external funding, advertising, or institutional affiliations influence the content. The catalogue is not affiliated with Project Gutenberg or any other organization.
What the catalogue does not claim
The catalogue does not claim to be a comprehensive library, a scholarly edition, or a substitute for original research. It does not assert that every book has been manually read in full, that the editorial notes are peer-reviewed, or that the categorization is authoritative. It does not use generative AI to produce content beyond the initial drafting of this editorial standards page. It does not engage in advertising, SEO optimization, or promotional marketing.
Ongoing maintenance
The catalogue is updated periodically as new works are added or corrections are made. There is no fixed publication schedule. The editor welcomes feedback but cannot guarantee responses to every inquiry. The library will continue to evolve as public-domain resources expand.