Google Books - Good Vs. Good Enough

Examining The Purpose and Function of Google Books Project

(Live Law)

But several things have united them all: a common purpose for the true good of the community, the highest standards of quality in both technology and content, and a deep-seated and long-abiding concern for the curation, and wide dissemination, of our cultural heritage as a living process that goes beyond commodification.                                                                                                                                        -    Ronald G. Musto

As suggested above by Ronald G. Musto, digitization projects usually work to provide high quality digital resources to render information more accessible for the masses. In the case of the culturally-important artifacts, libraries play a major role in carefully preserving our past to ensure that primary resources will be available for future generations. Similar to libraries and publishers, one could argue that Google is another major working body that manages information and makes information digitally accessible to the public. In parallel with library efforts to digitally preserve and house information for future generations, Google Books Project hopes to "make it easier for people to find relevant books – specifically, books they wouldn't find any other way such as those that are out of print – while carefully respecting authors' and publishers' copyrights" (Google Books). In digitizing tens of thousands of materials, Google Books has undertaken quite an endeavor which has revolutionized the public's ability to access information. As a result of rendering primary sources digitally accessible, this project has caused a litigious ripple effect on behalf of publishers and authors whose work they feel should not be made "free" online.

On a more basic level though, beyond the nuances of ownership and copyright, Google has at times diminished the quality of the information they have digitized. In their rush "to create a comprehensive, searchable, virtual card catalog of all books in all languages," the quality of digital renderings persists error-filled digital versions (Google Books). Musto argues that the project guaranteed "a valuable, reliable, open-access research tool" to benefit the greater public good, but has not produced these results. The (mis)treatment of some primary sources has resulted in scanned pages that depict the hands of the archivists and whole sets of missing pages.

Distorted maps, scanning machinery, disembodied hands, folded pages, and even more errors can be found on BuzzFeed's 21 Google Book Scans That Bring Surprising Intimacy To The Digital Book World and on a Tumblr titled, The Art of Google Books.

(Wikipedia)

Last page of De morbis puerorum Tractatus shows the tip of a finger at the bottom of the page (scanned by Google Books)

While the accessibility and searchability of Google Books is a great feat, authenticity and quality should not to be taken for granted when it comes to the preservation of cultural artifacts and documents. Whether an academic or a public library, patrons coming to use library services depend on the quality of the information provided to maintain a high degree of relevancy, quality, and credibility.

Questioning quality control is definitely important when one thinks about the populations of individuals that will seek access to these materials. Downloading an Ebook as a PDF or an EPUB could benefit disabled patrons immensely, especially considering digitally-accessed books allow users to manipulate settings to read text in a larger print or change the screen color. Catering to the cognitive or physical impairment certain users possess allows for greater equality, inclusion, and  dissemination of information. Not all individuals have access to this EReaders or computers, which is where libraries can play a role in providing the tools to facilitate the access to resources like Google Books.

While Google Books does have some improvements to make on the quality of the materials that they provide, there is something to be said about the open-access element of this concept. In rendering materials publicly-accessible, Google helps those who struggle to read and access print materials transcend barriers that otherwise restrict access.


Works Cited

Musto, Ronald G. "Google Books Mutilates the Printed past." Chronicle of Higher Education, vol. 55, no. 39, 12 June 2009, p. B4. EBSCOhost, login.ezproxy.palomar.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=f6h&AN=42531452&site=ehost-live&scope=site.

Orme, Richard. “Technology Brings New Era for Readers with Disabilities.” Elsevier Connect, 24 Oct. 2013, www.elsevier.com/connect/technology-brings-new-era-for-readers-with-disabilities.

Townsend, Robert B. "Google Books: Is It Good for History?." Perspectives on History, vol. 45, no. 6, Sept. 2007, pp. 45-47. EBSCOhost, login.ezproxy.palomar.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=31h&AN=26471581&site=ehost-live&scope=site.

Mobile Technology, Wounded Warriors, and Base Libraries

Where Wounded Warriors Meet Mobile Technology

(Military Families Learning Network)

Working on Camp Pendleton as a Library Technician at the Patrick J. Carney Library means that I serve and support a very unique community that consists of military personnel, their families, and retirees. One cross-section of the community that I recently started to consider as I examined the subject of this blog post was Wounded Warriors - a small group of severely injured veterans working to gain mobility and independence despite their injuries.

At the main library branch on base, there are some devices that support wounded veterans, like headphones and alternative keyboards, however mobile technologies like screen readers and screen magnification application could greatly support patrons with disabilities. Currently, there are a few library patrons on Camp Pendleton whose physical impediments affect their speech, sight, and hearing. One patron with very little sight often struggles to use computers at the Patrick J. Carney library. He brings in his own glass magnifier to use the keyboard and computer because there are no large print keyboards or screen readers to support his disability. Library support staff often help him utilize technology and accommodate his resource needs.

On the U.S. Army's official website, an explanation of the Defense Department's Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program (CAP) "offers wounded warriors assistive technologies and training to help them cope with...their personal recovery." While CAP works to provide equal access to information for all veterans with disabilities there is room for growth between the Wounded Warriors campaign, CAP, and the library system that accommodates this user population. Specifically, CAP targets the following injuries as the program works to facilitate employment opportunities for disabled veterans: vision loss or low vision, cognitive impairments, communication disabilities, deaf or limited hearing, and limited dexterity.

(YouTube)

Screen Readers, like Zoom Text, could greatly improve a patron's interaction with information at Camp Pendleton libraries. Being able to magnify a part of a screen while trailing a mouse arrow over the text is just one aspect of this type of mobile technology. Additionally, ZoomText users can also change the screen color to suit their own vision needs.  It's important to recognize that the DOD's CAP provides this software for Wounded Warriors at home, but this program has no outreach currently at base libraries. As library that works to support all cross-sections of the Camp Pendleton Community, connecting with programs like Wounded Warrior could vastly improve a disabled patron's ability to thrive in a world driven by technology and information.

To further understand the benefits of this mobile technology, view the following video provided by the Department of Defense's Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program (CAP) YouTube Channel:

All and all, when discussing information accessibility in relation to visual impediments one could also view this gap as diversity issue. As pointed out by the authors of "Accessibility and Diversity in Library and Information Science," building an "inclusive information architecture specifically focused on screen-reader access" will help those who struggle to access library materials navigate resources in an easier manner (Kyunghye, Yoon, et al.). Remaining aware of different user populations when constructing library environments, both physical and technological, will create more inclusivity to all groups utilizing library services. 

Works Cited

Brauner, Rachel. “Assistive Technology to Enhance Wounded Warrior Employment Opportunities.” Military Families Learning Network, The U.S. Department of Defense, 24 Oct. 2012, militaryfamilies.extension.org/2012/10/24/assistive-technology-to-enhance-wounded-warrior-employment-opportunities/.

“Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program (CAP).” CAP, The U.S. Department of Defense, www.cap.mil/WSM/Default.aspx.

Kyunghye, Yoon, et al. "Accessibility and Diversity in Library and Information Science: Inclusive Information Architecture for Library Websites." Library Quarterly, vol. 86,  no. 2, Apr. 2016, pp. 213-229. EBSCOhost, login.ezproxy.palomar.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=lxh&AN=113857476&site=ehost-live&scope=site.

“Today's Focus: Assistive Technology Helping Wounded Warriors.” STAND-TO! - Assistive Technology Helping Wounded Warriors, 24 Mar. 2009, www.army.mil/standto/archive/2009/03/24/.