Google Books
From LIS 460 Summer 2007
Contents |
What is Google Books?
Google Books is a search engine that allows you to search the full text of books.
To search for a book, you can enter keywords into the search box and Google will return a list that best matches the criteria. Clicking on a title in the search results will bring you to that book’s record, where you will find basic bibliographic information. Also, depending on the type of permission that has been granted by the author/publisher and the copyright status, you may be able to view part or all of that book. Each record also includes information about where to purchase the book, and there is also an option to find this book at a local library, which is done through a search at WorldCat.
Google is working closely with publishers and libraries from around the world to expand the number of books that are available. This program is beneficial to publishers because it is yet another way to help connect people with books, possibly resulting in increased demand and sales. For libraries, full text searching is a powerful tool for finding and accessing information. Some of the major libraries that have partnered with Google, include Harvard, Princeton, Stanford, the University of California, Oxford University, and the New York Public Library. Finally, the benefit to consumers is the ability to search the text of any book in the database, making it easy to locate information quickly and efficiently.
How much text is displayed in a book’s record?
Although the entire book is scanned to enable comprehensive searching, the amount of text that Google Books displays depends on these factors:
• For books that are scanned as part of the Library Book Project, the amount of viewable text is determined by copyright status.
• For books obtained from publishers, the publishers decide how much is viewable.
Link to WorldCat
Clicking on the link “Find this book in a library” brings you to the WorldCat site, where you can not only find the book at a nearby library, but you can also look at the subject headings of the book, view other editions, or read reviews. Clicking on a subject heading will then provide a list of other books that also use that same subject heading. This is a great way to locate similar resources, which you can then narrow down, by filtering on certain criteria. (Also see the entry on WorldCat in the Student Tech Encyclopedia.)
Google Books in School Libraries
Here are some ways that Google Books would be useful to school libraries:
• Having full text searching of books is a powerful tool, especially if the topic is obscure. That, combined with the link to WorldCat, makes it easy to quickly and efficiently locate books at a library near you.
• Books that are copyright free are viewable in their entirety, providing an easy way to access resources that the library may not own.
• For school librarians who are thinking of buying a particular book, they may be able to view excerpts to help them decide if the book is an appropriate choice.
• Use the full text search to look up quotes. This can be helpful for teachers and students if they read a good quote, but can’t remember where it came from.
• Using Google Books as a resource might also provide a good opportunity to discuss the issue of copyright. (For more about the copyright issue, see below.) First, librarians could explain what copyright is and talk about the controversy with Google Books. Then perhaps start a discussion to see what students think about this issue, or set up a debate and have students present each side.
Issues / Questions
Which books are fully viewable on Google Books?
You can fully access books that are in public domain, as well as any book that a copyright holder has given Google permission to display. (See the section entitled "About Google Books.")
What is the controversy surrounding Google Books?
One of the concerns about Google Books is that it will provide complete access to books, taking away the need for anyone to purchase printed copies. However, Google’s standpoint is that providing full text searching (while still maintaining the best interests of the copyright holder) actually increases demand for printed books because it becomes easier to connect readers with books.
This issue is also closely related to copyright law, and in a section entitled “Facts & Fiction,” Google addresses the questions about the legality of scanning copyrighted works:
“We've carefully designed Google Book Search to make sure our use of books is fair and fully consistent with the law. Copyright law is aimed at protecting and enhancing the value of creative works in order to encourage more of them–in this case, to ensure that authors write and publishers publish. We believe that by creating new opportunities for readers to find and buy books, we can help authors and publishers sell more of them.”
One final note:
I couldn’t find an answer to one of my questions…How many books are currently part of the Google Books Project?
