U. of Michigan Expands Book-Search Agreement; Google Makes Its Case to Librarians

The University of Michigan has expanded its agreement with Google’s Book Search program, the university announced today. The move takes into account the terms of the proposed settlement in the lawsuit brought against Google by the Authors Guild, and the Association of American Publishers, the university said.

Michigan has been one of Google’s leading partners in the Book Search venture. The revamped agreement “opens up the U-M library’s extensive collections of 8 million works to readers and students throughout the United States with free previews, the ability to buy access to the university’s collections online and through subscriptions at other institutions,” according to the statement. It describes the new terms as a boost to Michigan’s efforts to preserve and promote public access to its library holdings.

Meanwhile, the American Library Association alerted its membership that Google appears to be conducting a charm offensive designed to allay librarians’ fears about the proposed settlement. “Google is reaching out to library leaders, likely in response to an increase in interest in the community and the press about the concerns libraries have raised in response to the proposed private settlement agreement,” the ALA said. The group advised librarians who do meet with Google reps to ask about such hot topics as access and pricing and patron privacy. —Jennifer Howard