Ambitious Quote by Robert Darnton
“In 2002, Google began an ambitious project to digitize every book in the world. It was intended as a search project: type in a query, and Google would show you snippets. They asked university libraries for books, which they would scan for free. At Harvard we didn't permit them to take works under copyright, but other libraries gave them everything.”
About This Quote
Google’s early book‑digitization effort aimed to create a searchable corpus, but it sparked tension between open access and copyright protection.
In simple terms: Balancing knowledge access with legal rights.
Key Takeaway
Digital libraries raise complex IP issues.
Themes
digital preservation
copyright law
knowledge access
library ethics
technological ambition
Mood
thoughtful
cautious
inquisitive
Type
historical
analytical
When to use this quote
- academic research
- public libraries
- online education
- publishing industry
- legal negotiations
Key Concepts
searchability
intellectual property
collaboration
public domain
Practical Applications
- building searchable archives
- informing policy on digitization
Questions to Reflect On
- How should libraries negotiate with tech companies?
- What safeguards protect authors’ rights in mass digitization?
A Different Perspective
Critics argue that large tech firms may prioritize data collection over scholarly stewardship.
