When readers think of sitting at home on a rainy day enjoying a book, readers might think of pulling out his or her Kindle or E-reader. Typically, readers do not get on Google or other search databases to read short excerpts out of a British novel. Google is in the process of digitizing books for their website to try and attract internet users to the site. Why should Google digitize large amounts of books when readers already have access to those books? Google needs to stick to being a search engine and not digitizing books. Although Google believes digitizing books would be beneficial for readers, there are many reasons as to why they should not; the electronic era for digitizing books is behind, copyrights are a logistic Google has to face, and the books they have access to are not popular. Google is behind the electronic era because they already have items such as e-readers like Amazon’s kindle. In addition, these other brands already have vast inventories such as Apple’s ibook library which has over two million books, novels, and narratives. There are many other companies in this market that are competing against Google. Agreeing with this, Michael A. Keller, the Stanford University librarian states, some see this as “Google is coming late to the party” as in there is no practical plan in getting the digitized library started (qtd. in Helft par. 11). However, Robert Darnton, the director of the Harvard University Library contradicts Keller by saying, “This is an opportunity for those of us who care about creating a noncommercial public digital library to get on with it'' (qtd. in Helft par.5). Google may want to digitize books, but with them falling behind on their idea it may not turn out the way they plan. Google will face many obstacles by making books digitized on their website. Is Google thinking about copyrights? The answer is no, Google put it into plan but did not think about the logistics of copyrighting the books they want. Supporting this, Pamela Samuelson, a professor of law and information management at the University of California states, “I think the biggest obstacle is copyright'' (qtd. in Helft par. 24). To follow, The New York Times clarifies with, “Groups representing authors and publishers sued Google, charging copyright infringement in 2005” ( Helft par. 18). To continue, in 2004 Google made its first attempt launch for “Google Books” to which none had copyrights ("Future of Google Digital Library Is Hard to Read" par. 7). Opposed to what Helft says, Ken Aluetta, an author at google, expresses that Google is in the progress of addressing copyrights , which is an admission for a digital company to make (“Future of Google Digital Library Is Hard to Read" par.9). While Google may think they are on the right path to digitize books, they face the issue of having no copyrights to the books. Google is based out of California in the United States and currently can’t find a state to support their idea for digitizing books. Google is saying the British library will partner with them to digitize a bulk amount of books. What some do not know is that the person who partnered with Google for the British library is bankrupt. Google is not only suffering from insufficient funds, but they are seeking help from an indigent company. According to USA Today, “The bookseller, which filed for bankruptcy…” (“Google to Digitize British Library Books” par. 2). Also, not many people want to read the 16th century British books that Google and the British Library would be digitizing. Between Google and the British library will allow internet searchers to read and download thousands of texts published between 1700 and 1870 (“Google to Digitize British Library Books” par. 1). Not many people in our society today like spending their time reading old British text. On the other hand, Google workers want this to progress with the British Library because as they are informed Google will see 40 million pages digitized in three years (“Google to Digitize British Library Books” par. 1). Google workers are caught up in having a digitized program and wanting it now that they try and receive what is offered first. Does America want an American based website (Google) with mainly British novels that were offered by someone who is bankrupt? No, avid American readers want their interest, not what Google’s interests. Kindles and e-readers are in high demand as readers use them in their everyday life; a reader would not think of searching for a book on Google that is not interesting. Why should Google digitize books when resourceful digital books are already being sold? They shouldn’t. By Google digitizing books, they would lose money by purchasing books that readers won’t bother to read. Google has an idea for digitizing books when it already in use of other devices. Furthermore, Google digitizing books will be helpful for readers that care for 1700-1800’s British novels. Considering the current time period they should not digitize; the electronic era for digitizing books has already passed, copyrights cannot be passed with the books they want to use, and the books they have access to will not be appealing to most readers.
Works Cited “Google to Digitize British Library Books.”USA Today, 2011, p. 03B. Student Resources in Context, ic.galegroup.com/ic/suic/NewsDetailsPage/NewsDetailsWindow? disableHighlighting=false&displayGroupName=News&currPage=&scanId=&query=&prodId=SUIC&search_within_results=&p=SUIC&mode=view&catId=&limiter=&display-query=&displayGroups=&contentModules=&action=e&sortBy=&documentId=GALE|A262444023&windowstate=normal&activityType=&failOverType=&commentary=&source=Bookmark&u=chil38234&jsid=b4331505ddfc1279ec45b62755d39f25.
Helft, Miguel. “Effort Continues for a Universal Public Library.” The New York Times, Apr. 2011, p. B1(L). Student Resources in Context, ic.galegroup.com/ic/suic/NewsDetailsPage/NewsDetailsWindow?disableHighlighting=false&displayGroupName=News&currPage=&scanId=&query=&prodId=SUIC&search_within_results=&p=SUIC&mode=view&catId=&limiter=&display-query=&displayGroups=&contentModules=&action=e&sortBy=&documentId=GALE|A253189138&windowstate=normal&activityType=&failOverType=&commentary=&source=Bookmark&u=chil38234&jsid=b03604c46309e167f245d0db4b8a9ac9.
"Future of Google Digital Library Is Hard to Read." Philadelphia Inquirer [Philadelphia, PA], 10 Apr. 2011. Student Resources in Context, ic.galegroup.com/ic/suic/NewsDetailsPage/NewsDetailsWindow?disableHighlighting=false&displayGroupName=News&currPage=&scanId=&query=&prodId=SUIC&search_within_results=&p=SUIC&mode=view&catId=&limiter=&display-query=&displayGroups=&contentModules=&action=e&sortBy=&documentId=GALE%7CA253753505&windowstate=normal&activityType=&failOverType=&commentary=&source=Bookmark&u=chil38234&jsid=ff0da6eff7933afd90d4109d92e11552. Accessed 28 Nov. 2016.