Bodleian’s public domain books digitized
Posted by Jacque on March 27th, 2009
A partnership between Oxford University Library and Google over the last 5 years has made available on Google Book Search digitized versions of hundreds of thousands of public domain books from the Bodleian and other Oxford libraries, representing the bulk of their available public domain content.
“Most of the digitized works date from the 19th century and range from classic literature to more scientific volumes in fields including Geography, Philosophy or Anthropology. Among some of the works now available through Book Search, you can find the first English translation of Newton’s Mathematical principles of natural philosophy from 1729, the first edition of Jane Austen’s Emma, and John Cassell’s Illustrated History of England. You can search and read the full text of these works on Google Book Search, and download and print a pdf if you wish to,” posts Inside Google Book Search.
“Library users have always loved browsing books for the serendipitous discoveries they provide. Digital books offer a similar thrill, but on multiple levels– deep entry into the texts or the ability to browse the virtual shelf of books assembled from the world’s great libraries,” says Sarah E. Thomas, Bodley’s Librarian and Director of Oxford University Library Services.
Google will continue to partner with the libraries to digitize more content as it becomes available. Photo by Duncan. Creative Commons license.
