Page 4: Libraries Digitizing Future Collections & Copyright

More photos of Digitizing in the Grenander Reading Room & Preservation Department, posted below this week's essay

Despite Trudi Bellardo Hahn’s claims that mass digitization will drive greater usage of libraries and collections, after reading Impacts of Mass Digitization Projects on Libraries & Information Policy my doubts about the future of print-based libraries have increased. Librarius: of books (Latin). American Heritage Dictionary, posted on Dictionary.com.

By scanning and providing access to entire books (except for opt-outs and still copyright protected materials), why would one visit a library or bookstore (franchise or online) to check-out a particular book (with the exception of rare / hard-to-find books) when s/he can download it for free from the web? However, there is nothing like the convenience and personal experience of feeling and moving the pages of a book in one’s hands. Yet, why does Google not search for the publisher or author of a book before scanning the copyright protected item, when they have created such a powerful online search engine?

Despite Professor Hal Varian’s statement that Google TENDS NOT TO OWN anything, by indexing the world’s knowledge Ms. Bellardo Hahn is implying Google owns its data (a searchable index) which HAS a resale VALUE, along with advertising revenue from Google Book Search to hyperlinked online bookseller items. Google may also lease its comprehensive searchable index to online databases, which many libraries subscribe to. Finally, once the book is no longer copyright protected, Google in the future may offer downloads from it’s Dark Archive a book at a price lower than publishers, and to libraries.

Lawrence Lessig’s presentation at times almost mocks the Authors Guild’s and American Association of Publishers’ arguments, and by presenting his points to almost an absurdity. Mr. Lessig articulates not only why Google believes digitizing books is not only fair use, but also how the public (including libraries) benefits from increased access to information. I found Mr. Lessig’s explanation fascinating- people will lose access to the past if Google is found in violation of copyright laws, by not getting copyright owner’s permission first.

Web Page 4 is designed for people researching copyright and related restrictions ONLY for libraries digitizing collections, providing direct access to resources on these topics. After reviewing Google’s top 50 retrievals on “Library or libraries AND digitizing AND copyright,” I selected the five best resources (web-pages and downloadable documents) on U.S. Copyright restrictions on digitizing, along with one organization in the United Kingdom’s web-page, since Oxford University participates in the Google Book Program. These online resources discuss or outline copyright restrictions on Google and libraries (among other organizations) digitizing various collections from past, present, and future.

Digitization of books and archives, along with libraries providing online access to these resources and subscription vendor databases, has shifted libraries’ and archives’ mission from meeting patrons needs who visit their facility, to providing patrons with convenient access to a wide range of information resources online, from inside or outside the facility. I believe this blending of environments will not only continue libraries reducing funding for the acquisition and retention of print sources (see the UA Libraries News & Events), along with bookshelves, furniture, and microforms, but also increasing funding for online resources and information technology to provide alternative access to similar resources.

From the Preservation Department

From the Grenander Reading Room