Thanks for Ann Higgins for sending me the recent article on Google and Libraries (Libraries Shun Deals to Place Books on Web).

It seems that Google is trying to create a database of everything, which is nice from a user’s perspective. But apparently the rules for the libraries to participate are kind of crazy. Libraries that agree to work with Google must agree to a set of terms, which include making the material unavailable to other commercial search services.

So many libraries are going a different route. They are working with the Open Content Alliance, a nonprofit effort aimed at making their materials broadly available.

Google will scan for free. The Open Content Alliance charges through their alliance. But Google has the restrictions. But it doesn’t make sense to invent 2 wheels. But libraries don’t have much money. But equal access to info is so important and providing it through Google is so easy. But equal access to info is so important and singing away your rights to Google may tie your hands later.

So you see some of the issues.