Google Books

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Google Books

Google has partnered up with several libraries and is looking to scan books into their system, making it easier for researchers and students to find books they may have never been able to find before. “The project involves libraries at Harvard and Stanford Universities, the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, and the University of Oxford, in England, as well as the New York Public Library” (Carlson). As far as equity and assistive technology are concerned, this may be a huge boon. People who are unable to make it to the library for whatever reason, or who may have trouble searching for the correct resources, can use Google Books to help them find what they need. 

This project could come with some downsides though. Steven J. Bell states that the program should be viewed with a “dose of ‘healthy skepticism’ about the project. ‘Google is probably not going to do anything that doesn't have a profit return on it,’ Mr. Bell said. ‘What does that mean? Are people going to be getting a book out of Stanford's collection, and will they be prompted to buy something?’” (Carlson). Another worry Bell has is the effect it may have on people’s ability to search library catalogs. Bell states that libraries have the ability to refine searches to narrow down exactly what patrons need. He fears that libraries may be pressured to align their search features with Google’s, in essence simplifying their search programs (Carlson). 

I think it may be too early to tell what effect this is going to have on the library landscape and the future of research. I think there are a lot of benefits, again especially when considering equity and people’s ability to use library features. I also agree with Mr. Bell’s concerns though and wonder what Google’s profit endgame may be. Something to keep an eye on for the future. 



Works Cited

Carlson, Scott, and Jeffrey R. Young. “Google Will Digitize and Search Millions of Books from 5 

    Top Research Libraries.” Chronicle of Higher Education, vol. 51, no. 18, Jan. 2005, p. 

    A37. EBSCOhost, https://doi-org.ezproxy.palomar.edu/https://chronicle.com/.


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