Columbia Joins Google Scan Plan

Columbia University Libraries 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 also will receive a "library" copy of every book scanned, which library officials said will be used both for preservation and instruction. Library officials said they expect eventually to "integrate digital copies" into their extensive digital library program "to extend their utility for research and teaching." Columbia University Libraries is one of the top academic systems in the nation, with 9.2 million volumes.