Google project to put rare books online
France's Lyon Library and Google have signed an agreement to scan more then 500,000 books in 10 years and put them online. The French government believes this will promote their cultural globally. But the French public is a little apprehensive.
THE PARTNERSHIP between the French government and Google regarding putting rare literary works online is causing a lot of apprehension among French intellectuals and culture vultures. They fear the commercial control such a partnership would give Google over their literary treasure. French philosopher Nostradamus’s- Dooms Day Predictions are the first text uploaded online. As per the contract with Lyon Library, Google will scan its rare books and manuscripts for free. In exchange, the library gives Google the right to use the scanned documents commercially for the next 25 years. Since security is a top concern; Google is keeping the location of its scanning top secret.
Currently, Google has seven library partners in Europe, including Lyon. It is only scanning out-of-copyright works in Europe. This Partnership between the French government and Google is cultural apprehension. But some are very happy and are looking forward to reading the books online. The whole world is waiting to have access to the rare books which Google is planning to put online. Already Google has scanned more than 12 million books into its global index, so, the French government doesn’t have to worry about its literary treasure, this will definitely promote French culture around the world and for book lovers a trove of literary collection will be easily available.
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.As far as the uploading of rare books is concerned it is a welcome step because being 'rare' they are not available to masses. However, the availability of information on internet has undoubtedly reduced the takers of the print information and books. This needs an open discussion. The article is well written by Garima Mohan.
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