The Manual for Civilization is a project by The Long Now Foundation that seeks to answer a profound question: What books would you need to restart civilization from scratch?

Launched in 2014, the Manual for Civilization aims to assemble a curated collection of 3,500 books containing the tools, ideas, and wisdom essential for rebuilding society. This living library is housed at The Interval, Long Now’s public space in San Francisco, and features selections from renowned curators such as Stewart Brand, Brian Eno, Neal Stephenson, and Maria Popova. Contributions also come from Long Now members and experts worldwide. While the physical collection at The Interval forms the project's foundation, its reach is expanding through digitization.

In collaboration with the Internet Archive, Long Now is working to digitize the collection, making it globally accessible. Currently about 800 of the 1,400 selected books are available for browsing via Libib, with plans to scan all volumes.

Project organizers see the Manual for Civilization not merely as a library but as part of a centuries-old tradition of preserving and democratizing human knowledge—from Diderot’s Encyclopédie to the Whole Earth Catalog. Its purpose is not apocalyptic but aspirational: to inspire dialogue about humanity’s progress and future by curating the intellectual tools necessary to sustain civilization.

ARTICLE: How Can We Create a Manual For Civilization?