Google once had that grand ambition of digitizing all the books published so far. Well, the ambition met with certain roadblocks,
thanks to the fact that the company decided to take heavy-handed approach instead of getting all the parties on-board. But the latest news shows that the lofty dream is still very much alive. The internet search giant has struck a deal with the British Library and this would mean the digitization of 250,000 books. These books would be available through Google Books. And if you are worried about the impact on the books' authors, then you would be relieved to know that all the books are already out of copyrights.
Google already has the same pact in place with about 40 more libraries worldwide. The entire process of digitizing 250,000 books will take about 3 years to complete. The collection belongs to 1700-1870 time period and thus contains a wide variety of books covering varied topics like hippopotamus and the advent of Industrial Revolution. However, Google is not willing to divulge the details of the deal. The scanning of the books will be carried out by Google at its own facility, the location of which has been kept secret. The company also did not disclose the cost of the project. Though, the British Library itself had estimated the cost to be in the vicinity of £6 Million.
It is not the first time for the British Library to collaborate with Google. The library had tried striking a deal two years back too, however, the parties did not agree to the Digital Rights and the talks fell through. So, we can rest assure that the British Library would have done its best to protect the digital rights. The books would be available on the library's website as well.