Google Books Library Project

Announced in December 2004, the Google Books Library Project digitizes books from partner libraries and makes them searchable on the Google Books web site (http://books.google.com/). Original library partners included Harvard, the University of Michigan, the New York Public Library, Oxford and Stanford. Other research libraries joined the partnership in succeeding months, with Princeton University Library signing an agreement to become the twelfth Google partner in December 2006. As of 2010, more than 19 libraries from around the world are participating in the partnership.

Princeton's first shipment to Google was sent in February 2008, and as of March 2010, approximately 200,000 volumes have been digitized. The project, as originally constituted, should be completed at the end of the first quarter 2011.

Frequently asked questions:

Q1: What benefits are dervied from Princeton University Library's participation in this project?

Digitizing books in Princeton's collection will make it easier for scholars and the public to find books they would not be able to find elsewhere, including books no longer in print. Increasing the accessibility of books no longer under copyright by offering digital copies online will make it easier for Princeton students and faculty to conduct research. The online medium also allows the University to share its collection with researchers worldwide, a step very much in keeping with the University's unofficial motto of "Princeton in the nation's service and in the service of all nations."

Q2: What criteria are used to select the books to be scanned?

Princeton provides Google with a comprehensive list of all of its books that are in the public domain. Google identifies and removes from this list books that it has already scanned (or is in the process of scanning) from other partner libraries. Princeton then sends books on the pared down list to Google, except for those whose size, physical condition, uniqueness, or value preclude them from being scanned.

Q3: How many of Princeton's library books will be scanned?

The Library will work with Google to digitize approximately 300,000 volumes that are in the public domain and no longer under copyright. As Google continues to develop ways to accomodate volumes of larger dimensions and/or special collections requiring special handling, additional books may be brought into the scope of the project in the future.

Q4: How will the digitized books be made accessible?

Scanned copies of books from the Princeton collection will be fully searchable through the Google Books web site (http://books.google.com/), allowing users to employ any key words they choose to search the indexes, tables of contents and full text of books. Because the books being digitized are in the public domain, users will typically be able to view the full text of the books and download .pdf files for leisure reading, research, or printing.

In addition, Princeton will receive a digital copy of every book scanned and will, in the coming months, determine the various uses of the received copies.

Q5: Google Books only shows me a limited number of pages from a scanned book provided by Princeton. Can the library send me a file containing the complete book?

Princeton University Library cannot provide the full-text of books scanned by Google. It may be possible to borrow the original book through interlibrary loan. Consult your local library for more information.