Free online library of source texts from the Wikimedia family

Wikisource

Wikisource is a popular Wikimedia reference website that hosts public-domain and freely redistributable source texts, including books, historical documents, speeches, laws, and translations.

Core use

Wikisource helps readers find, read, proofread, and reuse source texts that are in the public domain or legally available for free redistribution.

Wikimedia project

Wikisource is an official Wikimedia Foundation project and a sister project of Wikipedia.

Text focus

The site focuses on source documents rather than encyclopedia summaries, dictionary definitions, or modern book reviews.

Wikisource is a Wikimedia free online library for public-domain and freely redistributable source texts.View image on original site

What Wikisource is

Wikisource is a free online library of source texts run as a Wikimedia project. On Wikisource, readers can browse public-domain and freely redistributable works, while contributors can transcribe, proofread, organize, and annotate source texts for use by the public.

Source texts, not summaries

Wikisource is different from an encyclopedia because it hosts original texts rather than explanatory articles about them. A page may contain a poem, law, speech, treaty, historical document, scanned book transcription, translation, or other primary-source-style material.

Proofreading and scans

Many Wikisource works are built from scanned pages. Volunteers compare text against page images, correct errors, mark proofreading status, and help produce readable digital editions that preserve a connection to the original source.

Public domain and free redistribution

The project depends on copyright status. Works generally need to be in the public domain or otherwise legally available for free redistribution. That makes publication date, author death date, edition, jurisdiction, and license details important for deciding whether a text belongs there.

Multilingual library

Wikisource has multiple language editions, each with its own community and collection. Some editions focus heavily on national literature, historical records, translations, or public documents, so coverage can vary widely by language and region.

Why it matters

Wikisource matters because access to source texts is part of public knowledge infrastructure. It lets readers verify quotations, read older works directly, study historical documents, and connect encyclopedia-style knowledge back to the texts behind it.

Limits and cautions

A Wikisource text can still contain transcription errors, incomplete proofreading, edition differences, translation choices, or copyright notes that need checking. For scholarly, legal, or publication use, readers should confirm the edition, scan source, proofreading status, and relevant rights information.

WHOIS domain data

Data pulled: May 20, 2026View current WHOIS record

Domain: wikisource.org
IP address: 208.80.154.224
Registrar: MarkMonitor Inc.
WHOIS server: whois.markmonitor.com
Referral URL: http://www.markmonitor.com
Created: September 1, 2003
Updated: July 31, 2025
Expires: September 1, 2026
Nameservers: ns0.wikimedia.org (208.80.154.238); ns1.wikimedia.org (208.80.153.231); ns2.wikimedia.org (198.35.27.27)
Domain status: clientDeleteProhibited; clientTransferProhibited; clientUpdateProhibited
Registrant contact: Organization is listed as Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.; address country is listed as US; contact email is provided through MarkMonitor's request form.

Key concepts

Source textAn original or published text being preserved for reading and reference, such as a book, speech, law, poem, treaty, or historical document.
ProofreadingThe process of comparing a digital transcription against a scan or source image and correcting errors.
Public domainA copyright status that allows a work to be used without the permission restrictions that apply to copyrighted works.

Website features

Text libraryBrowse and read digitized source texts organized by author, title, genre, subject, language, and collection.
Scan-backed editionsUse page scans and proofreading workflows to create cleaner digital transcriptions.
Wikimedia linksMove between related Wikimedia projects for encyclopedia articles, quotes, dictionary entries, media files, and structured data.

Common misconceptions

Not a bookstoreWikisource is a free text library, not a commercial ebook store or subscription reading app.
Not all books qualifyA work needs suitable copyright or license status before it can be hosted.
Not always final editionsSome texts are still being proofread, checked, or matched to scans and editions.

Open questions

Copyright complexityHow should global libraries explain different copyright rules across countries without overwhelming readers?
Edition clarityHow can source-text sites make edition differences, scans, and transcription status easier to understand?
PreservationHow can volunteer libraries keep older texts accessible while maintaining quality control over scans and transcriptions?