[Web4lib] A Delicious Future for Libraries?

[Ross Singer]

Why just Google?

-Ross.

Michael McCulley wrote:

>Maurice brings a voice of reason, and insight, to the discussion.
>
>There's nothing inherently non-Western about their approach, that I can see.
>And, lest we forget, there are plans for international versions of similar
>scope or scale, from EU and perhaps other "Google Prints." I don't think
>there's anything inherently politically incorrect about their mission; you
>can read it here:
>http://www.google.com/corporate/
> 
>"Company Overview
>Google's mission is to organize the world's information and make it
>universally accessible and useful."
> 
>My biggest concern would be the same one I've expressed for several years
>now; why don't our library associations have a continuing and frequent and
>"standing" liaison with Google? There's no good reason I can see not to
>bridge the divide, if there is one, have the open dialog between Google and
>librarians in a "birds of a feather" sense, and see what comes of it. We
>likely will lose from the lack, and we stand to gain solid professional
>input into the information systems and applications of a major "information
>provider." 
>
>As a whole, on both sides of the clouds of Google Print (publishers *and*
>libraries), I am neither rose-colored amazed, nor bashing what's a beta
>project that involves a major new dot.com with deep pockets, and re:mission
>above, and so far, involving several large, prestitious universities with
>large, deep libraries. It's like being present at a grand experiment, and I
>just hope we don't stand too long on the sidelines.
>
>Best,
>DrWeb
>
>  
>