Libraries Reject Google Book Search
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Written By Sepideh Saremi | October 22, 2007 | Share This
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The New York Times today reported that some libraries are not signing on with Google’s Book Search project because of the engine’s restrictions limiting access to the books it digitizes, including asking libraries to make “the material unavailable to other commercial search services.”
Though Google scans books for free, some libraries are choosing instead to scan their collections with the Open Content Alliance, ensuring free and open access to the books scanned - at a cost of about $30 per book. Started in 2005 by Brewster Kahle, the founder of the Internet Archive, the Open Content Alliance counts Yahoo and Microsoft as members, though the latter now also has a restriction similar to Google’s for non-academic users.
Google has always said aims to index all the world’s knowledge, which certainly fits the aims of the lofty book scanning project. However, the company also purports that its motto is “don’t be evil”… and it’s certainly a bit shifty to put up walls to book access. Mashable notes:
It seems that a public, open index like the Open Content Alliance promotes would ultimately give users the most choice. Nonetheless, Google is certainly helping bring lots of important content online by digitizing books for free. However, by participating in the Open Content Alliance, Google would both be improving book search for everyone, while also bringing more content into its index (and, likely generating more profits). Let’s hope the company has a change of heart.
Topics: Google, Search: Vertical, Technology |