Digital Society Hub

Digital Societies

Explore various digital societies and their unique contributions.

The Orwell Society

George Orwell, born Eric Blair in 1903, was a renowned writer known for his masterpieces “Nineteen Eighty-Four” and “Animal Farm.” His works, which highlight the importance of truth and the dangers of totalitarianism, remain relevant today. Orwell’s writing, infused with humor and humanity, draws from his diverse experiences, including his time in Burma, Paris, London, and the Spanish Civil War. He passed away in 1950 at the age of 46 from tuberculosis. Orwell’s statement in 1949 clarified that “Nineteen Eighty-Four” was not an attack on socialism but a critique of centralized economies. He married twice, first to Eileen O’Shaughnessy and later to Sonia Brownell. Orwell and Eileen adopted a son, Richard, who is now the Patron of The Orwell Society.

The New England Poetry Club

The New England Poetry Club (NEPC) is one of the nation’s oldest poetry organizations, founded over a century ago to celebrate, share, and support the art of poetry. Today, the NEPC continues that legacy by hosting readings, discussions, and events that bring together poets, readers, and the broader community. Recognizing the historical biases that have shaped literary spaces, the NEPC is committed to inclusive practices and actively seeks to amplify the voices of Black poets and other poets of color. Guided by its board, the NEPC envisions a vibrant, equitable community where poetry serves as a conduit for creativity, dialogue, and social change.

LITTLE TOKYO HISTORICAL SOCIETY

The Little Tokyo Historical Society (LTHS), founded in 2006, is a 501©(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and sharing the history and heritage of Japanese Americans and Little Tokyo. Comprised of community members, LTHS documents historical resources, advocates for cultural monument designations, and shares its findings through various media. The organization offers a platform for learning, sharing family histories, and defending Little Tokyo’s legacy. LTHS aims to maintain Little Tokyo’s status as an ethnic heritage neighborhood by researching and documenting its history, and collaborating with individuals and organizations to promote justice, survival, and quality of life for residents and the Japanese American community.

Writer's Trust of Canada

Founded in 1976 by prominent Canadian writers, the Writers’ Trust is a charitable organization dedicated to supporting and celebrating Canadian writers and their work. Through a variety of programs, including 12 literary awards, financial grants, career development initiatives, and a writers’ retreat, the Trust champions excellence in Canadian writing. By providing time and resources, the Writers’ Trust helps authors complete their work, promote their books, and navigate personal challenges. Their mission is to amplify Canadian voices and foster connections between writers and readers, ensuring that Canadian literature thrives and reaches audiences worldwide.

Sejong Cultural Society / Korean

Founded in 2004 and based in Chicago, IL, the Sejong Cultural Society is not-for-profit organization. Its mission is to promote awareness and understanding of Korea’s cultural heritage in the United States, particularly among younger generations, through contemporary creative and fine arts.

The Society offers various programs, including music and writing competitions, to introduce traditional Korean themes to young musicians and writers. These initiatives aim to make Korea’s rich cultural history accessible to people of all backgrounds, fostering a harmonious blend of Korean and Western cultures.

The Society also organizes writing contests open to all US and Canadian residents, featuring categories such as sijo and essay competitions.

Manda Group

Established in 1977, Canadian Manda Group is a premier sales agency that represents books, stationery, and gift products from both international and local publishers, catering to retailers, libraries, and wholesalers.

Our team consists of passionate and dedicated professionals with extensive knowledge in sales and publishing. With a robust and comprehensive sales and marketing team, we serve a wide array of customers, including chain retailers, mass market stores, online retailers, independent bookstores, gift and specialty shops, museums, galleries, universities, colleges, wholesalers, and more. We also work closely with our clients and customers on traditional publicity, marketing, and social media channels. We take pride in our long-standing relationships and our commitment to transparency in all our efforts on behalf of our publishing partners.

The Library Market Place

The Library Marketplace is the designated shop of the Ontario Library Association (OLA), a non-profit organization that supports over 5,000 library professionals.

HathiTrust was formed in 2008 as a partnership between 12 universities in the Committee on Institutional Cooperation (now Big Ten Academic Alliance) and 11 libraries of the University of California to ensure the strength and future service of digitized collections. This collaboration now includes members outside the United States and has over 18 million digitized library items. HathiTrust's mission is to support research, scholarship, and the common good by collaboratively managing the human knowledge record. Their vision is to be a key catalyst for emerging research, teaching, and learning. HathiTrust aims to build a comprehensive co-owned digital library, improve access for individuals with print disabilities, develop cost-effective infrastructure, and ensure the preservation of materials. They regularly consult with members to establish 5-year objectives and are committed to trust, access to knowledge, equity, resilience, engagement, and leadership values.

HathiTrust