Opening the Early Modern ToolBox: The Digital Interleaf and Digital Commonplace Book

Abstract

This paper considers how early modern note-taking practices can inform the design of digital reading environments.  In particular, it argues that proximate, handwritten note-taking is essential for both memory retention and archiving, and that digital readers should work within structures that allow for such practices.  The Digital Interleaf, the first of two conceptual prototypes introduced, offers one response to that need: a multi-layered page designed for individual and social annotation.  The Digital Commonplace Book, the second of the prototypes discussed, provides a method for indexing notes from the Digital Interleaf.  These two interoperable concepts are the first in a suite called the Early Modern Toolbox.