Along Came Google

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An incisive history of the controversial Google Books project and the ongoing quest for a universal digital library. Libraries have long aimed to provide comprehensive access to information for everyone. When Google announced its plan in 2004 to digitize books for universal access, it sparked debates about the roles of libraries, the rights of authors and publishers, and the implications of a powerful corporation managing such a vital public resource. This work traces the evolution of Google's book digitization initiative and its current implications. The authors draw on in-depth interviews with supporters and critics of Google's plans, including librarians, technologists, university leaders, tech executives, and publishing heads. They explore earlier digital efforts aimed at open access to knowledge and detail how Google founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page advocated for a universal digital library, leveraging their company's substantial financial resources. The examination also covers how librarians and scholars mounted a legal response to Google and highlights missed opportunities following a failed settlement with the tech giant. This analysis illuminates the transformative impact of the Google Books project on scholarship and encourages imaginative, collaborative approaches to enhancing the digital availability of knowledge.