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Article
Publication date: 22 May 2009

Nicholas Joint

The purpose of this paper is to illustrate issues surrounding the Google Book settlement in 2009, and its relevance to libraries by general discussion and examples from library…

1093

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to illustrate issues surrounding the Google Book settlement in 2009, and its relevance to libraries by general discussion and examples from library practice.

Design/methodology/approach

A set of projections and speculations that are both conceptual and practical in nature, based on early reactions and comments about this development.

Findings

There are many philosophical and moral objections to the consequences of the Google Book settlement, and that the practical effects for academic libraries could be both positive and/or negative. The practical examples of such outcomes are designed to help clarify the implications for library and information practitioners and generate further debate.

Research limitations/implications

The fact that the Book settlement is a legal arrangement between parties in a civil court makes in depth research analysis of a public nature very difficult – which is in itself one of the main themes of the paper.

Practical implications

The teasing out of the real‐life consequences of the settlement are intended be helpful to the library practitioner.

Originality/value

This paper tries to offer an early insight into an important new development in information retrieval history from the point of view of academic librarians, in contrast to much contemporary comment, which has come from authors and rights holders.

Details

Library Review, vol. 58 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0024-2535

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 August 2012

Xiaotian Chen

The purpose of this paper is to compare Google Books with WorldCat and to assess some other functionalities of Google Books.

1627

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to compare Google Books with WorldCat and to assess some other functionalities of Google Books.

Design/methodology/approach

Over 500 random samples generated from WorldCat were searched on Google Books. The search results were used to compare the coverage between Google Books and WorldCat, to estimate the successful link rate to a local library catalogue, the percentage available as full view, snippet, and preview on Google Books, and other services of Google Books.

Findings

Google Books can retrieve almost all the books catalogued in WorldCat. Its “Find in a library” link to a local library catalogue works 75 percent of the time. Fewer than 10 percent of Google Books items have free full views, and about 15 percent have snippets and previews, respectively. Previews are much more useful than snippets. Google Books probably indexes books that it does not possess in digital form, in addition to indexing all the books that it has acquired in digital form.

Originality/value

No previous empirical studies of this kind have been found. This study assesses Google Books' coverage and services with quantitative measures.

Details

Online Information Review, vol. 36 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1468-4527

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 February 2013

Andrew Weiss and Ryan James

The purpose of this paper is to report on a quantitative study of massive digital library (MDL) Google Books' coverage of Hawaiian and Pacific books.

458

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report on a quantitative study of massive digital library (MDL) Google Books' coverage of Hawaiian and Pacific books.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 1,500 books were randomly selected from the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa's Hawaiian, Pacific, and general stacks collections. Their level of access was then determined in Google Books by observing whether the books had a metadata record, were full‐text searchable, and whether they were available as in snippet, preview, or full‐text views.

Findings

Results show that Google Books has a sizable number of metadata records for Hawaiian and Pacific books, but has only a limited number available for full‐text searching. In contrast, a larger number of books from the general stacks were available for full‐text searching.

Research limitations/implications

Because of the small sample size, margins of error remain quite large. The field would benefit from a larger size of collection sample.

Practical implications

Diversity in librarianship is a major concern for libraries both within the USA, as in the case of historically underrepresented groups as well as in non‐English‐speaking countries.

Social implications

Diversity in librarianship also concerns the central mission of libraries to provide the basic human right of access to information. Digital libraries must be held to the same standards.

Originality/value

Massive digital libraries such as Google Books need to be more carefully examined; this study contributes to this need.

Details

OCLC Systems & Services: International digital library perspectives, vol. 29 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1065-075X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 29 June 2012

Dália Leonardo

This paper strives to examine and draw attention to important printed primary sources available in Google Books through the company's partnership with a growing number of European…

930

Abstract

Purpose

This paper strives to examine and draw attention to important printed primary sources available in Google Books through the company's partnership with a growing number of European libraries. It aims to include a brief annotated bibliography and provide an analysis of a select number of digitized works in Google's vast digital library.

Design/methodology/approach

The author researched texts published in the early modern era in Google Books, focusing on works with prominent visual elements. Each digitized book was evaluated for its intellectual contribution and narrative, as well as legibility and overall digital quality. This research was supplanted by an examination of pertinent secondary sources.

Findings

Despite controversies over metadata and classification Google Books remains an indispensable research tool and offers unprecedented access to works in the public domain in a variety of languages and fields of study.

Originality/value

This article encourages librarians, teachers, researchers, and scholars to further explore invaluable full text, freely accessible digital books in such areas as the Scientific Revolution, and European exploration/contact with indigenous populations throughout the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.

Details

Collection Building, vol. 31 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0160-4953

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 9 February 2010

Alexander Maxwell

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the mission and implementation of digital libraries from an historian's perspective.

4447

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the mission and implementation of digital libraries from an historian's perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper summarizes the abstract qualities that historians look for in their sources, and then compares various digital archives both qualitatively and quantitatively, highlighting design features that enhance or detract from the ease of use.

Findings

Preservation is the paramount mission of research libraries. Digital interfaces should contain images of original documents, html text documents hold little interest. Site interfaces should enable users to browse and zoom with minimal mouse clicks. Downloadable viewers should be avoided. Simple browsing is more important than keyword searching. Google Books sets the standard for digital information, and digital librarians can measure their site interface by that yardstick.

Originality/value

This paper provides feedback to administrators of digital libraries. It gives library scientists candid opinions from an intensive end user of digital information, contains several practical suggestions, and explains the reasoning behind those suggestions.

Details

Library Review, vol. 59 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0024-2535

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 22 February 2008

Péter Jacsó

The purpose of this paper is to revisit Google Scholar.

46539

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to revisit Google Scholar.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper discusses the strengths and weaknesses of Google Scholar.

Findings

The Google Books project has given a massive and valuable boost to the already rich and diverse content of Google Scholar. The downside of the growth is that significant gaps remain for top ranking journals and serials, and the number of duplicate, triplicate and quadruplicate records for the same source documents (which Google Scholar cannot detect reliably) has increased.

Originality/value

This paper discusses the strengths and weaknesses of Google Scholar.

Details

Online Information Review, vol. 32 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1468-4527

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 21 August 2009

John Maxymuk

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the implications of the proposed Google Books Settlement for libraries, readers, researchers, authors and publishers.

279

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the implications of the proposed Google Books Settlement for libraries, readers, researchers, authors and publishers.

Design/methodology/approach

The broad effects of the settlement for all categories of users are discussed.

Findings

There appears to be much to like about the proposed settlement for all parties, but there are still a number of concerns for libraries regarding preservation, intellectual freedom, pricing and copyright.

Originality/value

The paper provides an overview of a complex subject that all in the information world must confront.

Details

The Bottom Line, vol. 22 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0888-045X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 14 August 2009

Perry Willett

The amount of library material available online is staggering, but still at very early stages in terms of discovery tools. Without a centralized source to search digitized…

1412

Abstract

Purpose

The amount of library material available online is staggering, but still at very early stages in terms of discovery tools. Without a centralized source to search digitized collections from these projects, it is important to understand their goals and distinctions between the services they provide. This paper aims to describe the complex landscape of mass digitization projects and their impact on interlending and document supply.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper analyzes the history, goals and achievements of the mass digitization projects. It also looks at the sites that aggregate digitized materials from these projects and their interfaces for providing access.

Findings

The number of library collections now digitized has reached numbers unimaginable even just a few years ago. The impact on interlending and document supply will likely be limited in the near term, since much of interlibrary borrowing is for materials published in the past decade, and much of the digitized content from this period is restricted in Google Book Search, the only mass digitization project to undertake digital conversion of copyrighted material. End users will be able to discover materials of interest in new ways, but are likely to need or want to see the print source for recent publications.

Practical implications

Library staff members need to understand these projects and how they differ from one another in order to provide optimal service to their readers.

Originality/value

The paper is a guide to negotiating the landscape of mass digitization, with an overview of the projects and their goals and accomplishments, with analysis of the impact on interlending and document supply.

Details

Interlending & Document Supply, vol. 37 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-1615

Keywords

Content available
Article
Publication date: 25 January 2008

501

Abstract

Details

Library Hi Tech News, vol. 25 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0741-9058

Article
Publication date: 21 September 2015

Gloria Yi-Ming Kao and Chi-Chieh Peng

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the performance of the multi-source book review system (MBRS). MBRS was designed to reduce information overload using the internet and to…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the performance of the multi-source book review system (MBRS). MBRS was designed to reduce information overload using the internet and to accommodate different learner preferences.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors experimentally compared MBRS with the Google search engine. MBRS first gathers reviews from online sources, such as bookstores and blogs. It reduces information overload through an advanced filtering and sorting algorithm and by providing a uniform user interface. MBRS accommodates different learning styles through various sort options and through adding video-mediated reviews.

Findings

Results indicate that, compared with Google, MBRS: reduces the information overload associated with searching for online book reviews; increases users finding satisfactory book reviews; and allows users to find reviews more quickly. In addition, more than half of the participants found video-mediated book reviews more appealing than traditional text-based reviews.

Research limitations/implications

Future studies might examine the effects of other recommendations or sorting methods to fit individual preferences in a more dynamic way.

Practical implications

This study assisted readers with a preference for visual information in locating reviews of personal interest in less time and with finding reviews more aligned with their individual learning preferences.

Originality/value

This study documents an innovative web site featuring video-mediated book reviews and other mechanisms to accommodate individual preferences. Search engine designers could integrate book reviews with different media types to reduce cognitive load allowing readers to focus attention on the reading task. Internet booksellers or library staff may use this as an effective means to enhance reading motivation.

Details

Library Hi Tech, vol. 33 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0737-8831

Keywords

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