Google Takes on the Libraries

Posted on November 14, 2005

The Wall Street Journal reports that Google has now decided to go into competition with libraries. Yes, that's right -- libraries. Read on...

Web search leader Google Inc. has approached a book publisher to gauge interest in a program to allow consumers to rent online copies of new books for a week, The Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday. The proposed fee is 10 percent of the book's list price, the Journal reported, citing an unnamed publisher. The discussion with the publisher indicates Google may move toward adding a digital book-renting service.

Google has a separate book program, the Google Print Library Project, that has attracted controversy for its aim to scan millions of books that consumers could search online. A Google spokesman did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

The immediate use we can see for this type of program is for travelers who want something to read on the plane, but don't want to lug around books or pay for the full hardback version. What will Google do next? Another question is how many will Google be scanning and are they current books or books that are no longer in print.

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