Google To Bring The Library To You

[GHOSTDANCER]

Google, the world's most popular search engine plans to transform the trip to the library into a trip to the nearest computer. Five major libraries in the US have agreed to join Google in an effort to make their collections available to users in digital form online.

Google will digitally scan library books from the libraries of Harvard, Stanford, the University of Michigan, and the University of Oxford as well as The New York Public Library. The collections will be made available to users worldwide through Google's search engine, as an extension of the Google Print program.

"Google's mission is to organize the world's information, and we're excited to be working with libraries to help make this mission a reality," said Google co-founder Larry Page, in a statement.

<http://www.halifaxlive.com/google_library_12152004_23772.php>

I'm kinda mixed on this. I think it's an awsome idea, but think of the power of this. This pick and choose of information, of what people have the easiest access to is kinda important.

[prairierose]

1. The Internet Archive is also working on this....

probably why google is getting into it. IA is working with the Library of Congress & the Library of Alexandria & they are part of the Million Books Project.

I think it's very kewl.. Imagine people who do not have access to a really good library and what they can find in a place like this. I think of the kids out in the rural part of my state who do not have access to big libraries. This should be great.

[Khephra]

2. It's also great for people with health problems

I can't walk about a fifth of the year due to severe arthritis, so this is great for me.

[purduejake]

3. Amazing...

This is a great idea. The most important thing I can think of is the people in the red states where they want to ban books. This is a way around that and as we all know, information is power. This project will help people realize the world is a lot bigger and more diverse than they may think.

On another level, I can't wait to have this kind of information at my fingertips because going to the library as a college student is a pain in the ass when I can find most of the stuff I need on the net. Now I will have "reliable sources" without leaving my apartment.

[NashVegas]

4. duplicate story - locking

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1069526