Professional paper

Mass digitization of books : effect on libraries

Marica Šapro-Ficović orcid.org/0009-0008-1796-6107

Abstract

The paper describes some major projects of mass digitization of books and addresses their impact on libraries. Three large mass digitization projects were selected for analysis: Gutenberg, Million Book and Google Books. They were selected because of their pioneering applications of contemporary information technologies and innovative partnerships with libraries. The aims of this work are to illustrate different approaches to mass digitization of books, than describe the questions and controversies that have arisen, and finally examine possible effects of these projects in libraries. Lately, digitization projects of library materials have been expanding in Croatia; it is suggested that critical issues and problems encountered in these large international projects have implications for Croatia as well in relation to professional decisions, policies, and practices and even in broader consideration on the role of books, libraries, and information in the evolving digital environment of the country.

Keywords

digitization; e-book; mass digitization; libraries; project Gutenberg; Million Book Project; Google Book; copyright; universal access to information; partnership with libraries

Hrčak ID:

80483

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/80483

Publication date:

7.6.2011.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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