Google Print

Google has extended its search to the full text of library books today by adding the initial batch of scanned books to its index. Called Google Print, the program is a cooperative effort between Google and five major libraries, including Harvard and Stanford.

As Google says, it wishes to organize the world's information, but much of that information isn't online yet. Through its Library Project, Google aims to get those books online.

The way Google Print works is that if your search calls up a book in the public domain (with an expired copyright, for instance), then you'll be able to page through as much of it as you like, save pages, and use cut 'n' paste tools. For books that are still under copyright, however, the search results will include only snippets of text relating to a person's search terms. (Copyrighted books are not yet showing up in Google Print search results, but Google plans to add them later.)

Not everyone is happy with the Google Print program. Google is facing two lawsuits from publisher and authors groups, who are insisting that Google obtain permission before scanning a copyrighted book. Google argues that showing snippets of copyrighted texts will increase demand for and sales of books still protected by copyright.

Until the legal dust settles, enjoy finding and reading some old books!