Google books

By -


Google Books has had its share of detractors, and whether or not we agree, the fact is that Google Books provides access to millions of books in the public domain to anyone who uses the site. One such title is The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter. An early edition is available for free download as a PDF or EPUB, though not the very first 1901 edition. However, it does have link suggestions of where to find the edition one seeks, whether in a physical library or via online access purchase. While it does not replace academic databases, it is an easily accessible place to start research for anyone.

A newer ongoing issue is generative AI. A Washington Post article from January 2024 discusses how open AI is infringing copyright by generating passages with their articles. The Times has evidence that a generative AI company has replicated exact passages of copyrighted text (Oremus, 2024).

Does this mean AI can copy passages from text in Google Books next? While their scans aren’t in copy paste text, it is not that difficult to convert image to text. Even if copyrighted works may be off limits (and that is an ongoing discourse), what if ChatGPT regurgitates work by long-gone authors?

In my opinion, what will happen will happen. Meanwhile, you can view the following YouTube video by Lisa Louise which discusses some of Google Books useful features. Convert image to text is now included in Google Books. One no longer needs OCR or other inconvenient methods to extract text from the scans making Google Books more inclusive than before.



Works Cited

Oremus, Will, and Elahe Izadi. "AI’s future could hinge on one thorny legal question." The Washington Post (Online)WP Company LLC d/b/a The Washington Post, 2024. ProQuest, https://login.ezproxy.palomar.edu/login?auth=shibboleth&url=https://www.proquest.com/blogs-podcasts-websites/ai-s-future-could-hinge-on-one-thorny-legal/docview/2910034908/se-2.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Adapted Literacy: Low-Tech Assistive Technology Solutions in the Library

By -
Image
  Adapted Literacy: Low-Tech Assistive Technology Solutions in the Library by Ashley Roane Assistive technology can help any of us meet life’s daily challenges in innumerable ways. In fact, many digital tools we utilize on a daily basis- such as voice recognition, captions, or even GPS- we take for granted and consider them more as options. But for many folks, assistive technology is essential and means accessibility.   Galyon et al. discuss ways that libraries can harness assistive technology to meet the needs of children who might struggle with literacy for different reasons. They explain this as adapted literacy and describe this as an efficient and cost effective way to improve preliteracy and literacy skills. Founded in a Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework, adapted literacy is meant to make reading books more accessible for all learners. The Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST) explains that UDLs guiding principles are multiple means of engagement...
Read more

Libraries and the Digital Divide

By -
Image
Libraries and the Digital Divide Providing technology for increased accessibility Post by Jennifer Fischer The "Digital Divide" is what is described as the gap between those who have support, knowledge of, and access to modern technology for information and communication. Factors that may contribute to the digital divide are socioeconomic factors such as income or access to technology in rural areas, as well as disabilities that hinder an individuals' use of technology for communicating or accessing information. The author, Susan D. Moisey, of the article, "The Inclusive Libraries Initiative: enhancing the access of persons with developmental disabilities to information and communication technology," describes more factors that also contribute to the digital divide. Moisey discusses the role of libraries in helping bridge this gap for those with disabilities. Implementing assistive technology in libraries to help those who are unable to use modern technology bec...
Read more