[swiss-lib] Library Science Talk April 24 and 25 2006

[swiss-lib] Library Science Talk April 24 and 25 2006: "Google Book Search : Improving discoverability of content in the digital = age / Jens Redmer, Google Book Search Europe (Summary in German below) In 2004, Google started 'Google Book Search', two very widely discussed = projects both aimed at making available a large body of content that = until now was not online. These projects are 'Google Book Search for = Publishers' and the 'Google Book Search Library project'.=20 The goal of these projects is to improve access to information and = cultural heritage.=20 Each of the projects aims to help users find links to relevant books in = addition to Internet links in response to search terms and to display = relevant sections of those found. Contents are not duplicated: the user = cannot print, save or download the data. Google is co-operating with thousands of publishers in the 'Google Book = Search for Publishers' project. Books from participating publishers are = scanned and made searchable free of charge to both publishers and users. = Excerpts (snippets) are made available online and links provided to = bookshops, publishers or online sales points as appropriate. Google sees = 'Google Book Search for Publishers' as an excellent tool to promote = books. Currently, 5 major libraries are co-operating closely with Google in the = library project (New York Public Library, the university libraries of = Stanford, Harvard, Oxford and Michigan). This program concentrates on = scanning and making searchable books that are in public domain. A large = part of these libraries' holdings will be digitised, thus improving = access to old and rare items of cultural heritage. These projects have given rise to intensive media discussion with = questions such as: in what ways can an Internet company influence the = media scene? What do these activities mean for the future of publishers = and libraries? Mr. Redmer will describe the projects in more detail and address t"