Editorial Standards
Purpose of the catalogue
The HOLJI Public Domain Literature Library exists to make historically significant philosophical, ethical, and scientific texts accessible to contemporary readers. Each work is presented with an editorial note that explains its content, context, and relevance, without claiming exhaustive analysis or scholarly authority. The catalogue is a reading guide, not a research database.
Scope and selection
The library contains 96 texts, all sourced from Project Gutenberg. Selection is based on the editor's judgment of a work's importance, interest, and representativeness within the domains of philosophy, ethics, logic, and metaphysics. The collection is not systematic or comprehensive; it reflects a particular editorial perspective and is subject to change.
Source attribution
All texts are public-domain works originally transcribed and published by Project Gutenberg. Translators and editors are credited in the bibliographic records. The catalogue does not host full texts but provides links to the source. No alterations have been made to the original texts.
Bibliographic records
Each book record includes the title, author(s), translator(s), publisher, keywords, target-reader description, and a catalogue note. The keywords are drawn from the work's subject matter and from Library of Congress subject headings where available. The target-reader field is uniformly set to "Readers of public-domain and historical texts" to indicate that the materials are not adapted for modern audiences.
Category assignment
Works are assigned to one of three categories based on thematic content. Category boundaries are porous; some works could plausibly belong to more than one category. The assignment is intended as a navigation aid, not a definitive classification. Categories are reviewed periodically.
Editorial reading context
Catalogue notes are written by the editor after reading the work. They focus on the work's arguments, structure, and rhetorical strategies, and are designed to help readers decide whether to explore the full text. Notes do not claim to be comprehensive interpretations.
Edition facts and text measurements
Editions are those available from Project Gutenberg at the time of inclusion. No information about word counts, page numbers, or reading time is provided, as these vary by format. Translators are noted where known. Date of original publication is included when available in the source metadata.
Recommendations and related works
Category guides recommend three specific books with concrete reasons. Recommendations are editorial choices, not algorithmic. Related works are suggested in catalogue notes and category guides through internal links.
Corrections and reader reports
Readers may report errors or suggest improvements via the contact form. The editor reviews all submissions and updates records as necessary. No formal peer-review process exists; corrections are made at the editor's discretion.
Public-domain limitations
All works are in the public domain under applicable copyright laws. The catalogue does not assert ownership of the texts. Readers should verify the public-domain status for their jurisdiction before redistributing.
Accessibility and readable presentation
The catalogue uses simple HTML structure with semantic headings, lists, and minimal styling to ensure compatibility with screen readers and text-only browsers. No images, scripts, or tables are used. The language aims for clarity and brevity.
Independence and editorial responsibility
The library is an independent project by Henry Conrad, Anthology Editor, based in the United Kingdom. It has no institutional affiliation, no advertising, and no commercial sponsorship. Editorial decisions are made solely by the editor.
What the catalogue does not claim
The catalogue does not claim to be a complete or representative survey of philosophy or literature. It does not assert that every book has been read in full (though the editor has read the works that are annotated). It does not claim peer review, academic certification, or legal authority. It is a personal reading guide.
Ongoing maintenance
The catalogue is updated periodically. Older editorial notes may be revised as new information becomes available. Readers are encouraged to return for additions and improvements. The editor welcomes feedback.