News

Google to Scan, Index Library Books

By Nate Mook | Published December 14, 2004, 12:43 PM

In an agreement with five major libraries, Google has begun an ambitious project to scan and index millions of books and periodicals. The information will be integrated into Google's Web search over the next several years.

Launched in October, Google Print already offers glimpses of new books, but focuses primarily on publishers rather than libraries.

The New York public library has agreed to submit books out of copyright, while Harvard will test the process with 40,000 titles. Oxford University has asked Google to index its books published before 1901. Only Stanford and Michigan universities have agreed to provide all of their libraries' materials to Google.

But for now, having a digital copy of books online doesn't mean an end to the library card. Like its current book searches, users will only be able to view bibliographies and excerpts from copyrighted books. Google will, however, provide complete access to books whose copyrights have expired.

Comments

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amitpagarwal
Dec 16, 2004 - 2:43 AM

I know it is a great idea but I am very interested to know how do they do such herculean tasks ?

What is the general procedure they follow, what hardware they use, what software, ???

Can anyone point me a resource which can answer my queries ?

Amit
http://labnol.blogspot.com

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Pipewrench
Dec 14, 2004 - 5:05 PM

Google has too much power.

They are already have their hands in too many things. Google scares me. If Google ever teamed up with the Government or Microsoft we'd be in trouble. Forget this man...

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fr0b
Dec 14, 2004 - 6:38 PM

"If Google ever teamed up with the Government or Microsoft we'd be in trouble. Forget this man..."

Ok, forget it, go work on your tin hat, the rest of us will make use of the technology that we help to create.

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BklynKid
Dec 14, 2004 - 4:05 PM

That's great.

Should make researching a breeze.

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DiGiTaLFX
Dec 15, 2004 - 6:50 AM

Not sure if it will make research a breaze or harder! Its going to be adding more and more sources yes. but that means more to sift through. Fab idea tho - we've go a similar service at uni and it provides what you need. jus a bit hard to find it.

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