Academics Fear Google's 'Orphan Books' Plan

(NEWSER) - Microsoft, Amazon, and Yahoo are ganging up against Google Books, trying to quash its settlement with publishers and authors, the Wall Street Journal reports. The settlement, which still needs court approval, would allow Google to offer works scanned off library shelves online for free, provided publishers get a cut of the ad revenue. Now its rival tech giants are joining with some library associations to try to block the deal on antitrust grounds. More»

But each has to cough up an excuse

(NEWSER) - A book amnesty program in San Francisco has inspired many guilty returns and a few entertaining excuses, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. The city's public library offered tardy borrowers the chance to return items, fine-free, as long as they came with an excuse. Returning a record 29,228 items worth $55,165 in fines, book-lovers coughed up a few memorable explanations: More»

Antitrust investigation focuses on Google's settlement with publishers

(NEWSER) - Justice Department investigators have intensified their probe into a deal Google made with publishers last year to put millions of books online, the Wall Street Journal reports. Publishers have been formally asked to provide information relating to the deal, which critics charge violates antitrust laws by giving Google an effective monopoly over "orphan text," for which the copyright holders are unknown or cannot be found. More»

Restocked ethics tome to be dedicated to Sully

(NEWSER) - Hero pilot Chesley Sullenberger's local library has told him not to worry about a borrowed book stuck in the hold of US Airways Flight 1549 that crashed in the Hudson River, AP reports. After he contacted the library to ask for an extension, the staff not only waived all overdue and replacement fees, but will dedicate the restocked volume to Sullenberger. Its subject? Professional ethics. More»

Even amid budget cuts, the institutions are expanding offerings

(NEWSER) - As the economy lightened wallets last year, people in search of jobs and entertainment turned to a long-lost concept called a library, reports the Washington Post, spiking DC-area circulation by 23% in the last half of 2008. And although budget cuts are hitting libraries hard, they're still finding ways to go digital. More»