Columbia University Libraries Joins Google Scan Plan
Andrew Albanese -- Library Journal, 12/17/2007
- University's 25 distinct libraries participating
- Hundreds of thousands of volumes, including rarities, being scanned
- Columbia to incorporate e-copies into extensive digital lib program
The Columbia University Libraries announced last week that it is the 28th library to sign an agreement with Google to digitize library books in the public domain and make them available online. Under the agreement, librarians and Google will select "hundreds of thousands" of volumes from Columbia's 25 distinct libraries, 
including its rarest holdings. Digital copies of the books from Columbia will be fully searchable through Google.
Because the books scanned will be in the public domain, users will be able to view the full text of the books and download them for leisure reading, research, or printing. As part of the deal, Columbia will also receive a "library" copy of every book scanned, which library officials said it will use both for preservation and instruction purposes. Library officials said they expect eventually to "integrate digital copies" into its extensive digital library program "to extend their utility for research and teaching."
Columbia University Libraries is one of the top academic library systems in the nation, with 9.2 million volumes. James Neal, VP for information services and university librarian, said Columbia's participation in the Google plan will make available "significant portions" of the university's collections "in ways that will ultimately change the nature of scholarship."
