An article in this month’s Prospect magazine about Google’s online library project deserves serious attention.
In just three years’ time, Google.com is set to reveal the world’s largest online library, which will make 15 million books available in a digital format. Using web searching techniques, these books can be cross-searched, citations can be linked etc etc. In fact, a prototype – called the ‘google book search’ – is already available.
Sounds great, I hear you say. No more trudging to the library, only to discover the book you want is out on loan. But there’s a catch: these services don’t come cheap.
Although Google is making much of its collaborative ‘digitisation projects’ with Stanford and Oxford Universities, users will ultimately have to pay expensive subscriptions to get full access to the online books. Some revenue will go back to the original source. But I wonder if these venerable institutions have really thought through the implications.
While, in principle, making the world’s libraries available online is an incredible idea, I fear it may only serve to limit access to knowledge to those who can afford it.
« VoIP: the cheaper way to connect | Main | Tackling African poverty through the media »
06 February 2007
Comments
The comments to this entry are closed.
The i-Witnesses
- This blog is written by Murali Shanmugavelan, with help from the i-Witness team (Victoria Room and Nicky Lewis).
It's a place for journalists - particularly in developing countries - to read commentary and share insights about the information society, what it means for ordinary people in the global South, and how it can be reported in a meaningful way.
November 2007
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | ||||
| 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
| 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 |
| 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 |
| 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 |
Recent Posts
- Internet leaders tread carefully at IGF round 2
- Happy birthday ICANN?
- Who’s who on the internet: a matter for privacy?
- Africa left in the dark: why infrastructure matters
- Tense times for Google’s ‘marriage’ to the media
- Wise words: Africa is open for business
- WIPO’s piracy treaty blown out of the water
- It’s Yemen’s turn for censorship
- Ultimately, it’s all about access
- Heads up for world 'info soc' day
Recent Comments
- nike heels on WCCD: time for some clear thinking
- nike heels on The reality of India’s IT challenge
- nike heels on An invasion of privacy
- nike heels on Heads up for world 'info soc' day
- nike heels on US ‘bans’ access to Google Earth in Sudan
- jordan heels on WCCD: time for some clear thinking
- jordan heels on The reality of India’s IT challenge
- jordan heels on An invasion of privacy
- jordan heels on Heads up for world 'info soc' day
- jordan heels on US ‘bans’ access to Google Earth in Sudan
i-Witness resources
Check out Panos London's i-Witness microsite, packed with reporting tips, topic briefings, background information and links, and experts for interview...
> i-Witness microsite
Small print
- Panos London is not responsible for the content of external websites. This blog presents the personal views of the author, which are not necessarily shared by Panos London.
subscribe to this
blog's feed
Hi,
The growth of google is getting a bit scary in a monopolistic sense. But thats just my impression. What are your thoughts?
Posted by: Des | 07 February 2007 at 07:20 PM
Nothing could replace the joy of reading a book turning pages physically . While I welcome the availability of books on line , it should not be thought of replacing the book itself. Keep going to the nearby libraries and lets search the Truth lying in the self .
with regards
ch.santakar
koraput
osissa, India
Posted by: ch.santakar | 03 March 2007 at 12:27 AM
The Google's project is impressive to enhance access to books, but it shouldn't impair access to knowledge due to high fee. I agree with the idea that says the project may not replace the book itself, but increase only its availability in space and time.
Tezera Getahun
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Posted by: Tezera Getahun | 07 March 2007 at 10:08 AM
I am doubtful whether the euphoria booklovers share concerning digitisation is justified at all. I do not think this will translate into a more easier availability of information either. The projects are clearly driven by commercial considerations and meant to enhance the sales of publishing houses.
Posted by: Rina Mukherji | 10 April 2007 at 01:06 PM
Great usefull article & share, thanks for informing us with this lovely post.
Posted by: free wallpapers | 29 May 2009 at 01:26 PM