e-Books and Digital Library Projects

The continued growth of digital content and e-books has lead to an explosion of digital library projects. According to a study from the Pew Internet and American Life Project released this past summer, trends show that American’s are gradually reading more materials in digital form. Recent developments related to the legality of large-scale projects such as Google Books project has further brought attention the growing demand for e-book content and services. As librarians and publishers continue to sort through legal issues related to e-book licensing it is important to note that several digital library projects are underway. Google Books E-books and digital content got a boost last month when a long awaited ruling in a case against Google Books was announced. The Google Books project began in 2004 and included efforts to scan and make digitally available books from university and public libraries around the world. For books that were in the public domain or where the author had given permission the full text of the book was scanned and made digitally available through the Google Books interface for free. For books which were still under copyright scans were made with the idea that Google Books users could search the full-text and preview a limited number of pages for free but then be required to purchase the title to read more. With scanning continuing, in 2005 the Authors Guild and the Association of American Publishes filed suite against Google claiming the Google Bo...
Source: Network News - Category: Databases & Libraries Authors: Tags: General (all entries) Technology Source Type: news