Bookshare and NLS won't be obsolete. I don't think google's agreement will make much of an impact on Bookshare, at least not in the foreseeable future.
The agreement only covers access to copyrighted, out-of-print works. Key words: copyrighted out-of-print works.
The agreement specifically says, "Titles that are still in print will be available only if publishers and authors agree to include them."
We've certainly all seen (not!) publishers and authors just line up to make in-print books available to Bookshare. (yes, I'm being sarcastic here! smile). I don't think (my opinion here) that publishers and authors are going to make their in-print copyrighted books available for access through Google, just like they haven't made them available to Bookshare, with a few notable exceptions.
Judy s. Roger Loran Bailey wrote:
It sounds like Bookshare, the NLS and RFB&D may be about to become obsolete. On Mon, Nov 3, 2008 at 12:32 PM, Tracy Carcione <carcione@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:I have pasted below a press release from the National Federation of the Blind, which has a lot to say about this change in Google. I hope it's right, and we will have much greater access. I've sometimes looked up a page in a book I'm validating, but haven't really been able to read it. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Chris Danielsen Public Relations Specialist National Federation of the Blind (410) 659-9314, extension 2330 (410) 262-1281 (cell) cdanielsen@xxxxxxx Google Settlement with Authors, Publishers Will Have Positive Results for the Blind Terms of Proposed Settlement Agreement Will Revolutionize Blind People's Access to Books Baltimore, Maryland (October 31, 2008): The National Federation of the Blind, the nation's leading advocate for access to information by the blind, announced today that the recent settlement between Google and authors and publishers over the Google Books project, if approved by the courts, will have a profound and positive impact on the ability of blind people to access the printed word. The terms of the settlement that was reached on October 28, among Google, the Authors Guild, and the Association of American Publishers, on behalf of a broad class of authors and publishers, allow Google to provide the material it offers users "in a manner that accommodates users with print disabilities so that such users have a substantially similar user experience as users without print disabilities." A user with a print disability under the agreement is one who is "unable to read or use standard printed material due to blindness, visual disability, physical limitations, organic dysfunction, or dyslexia." Blind people, like other members of the public, will be able to search the texts of books in the Google Books database online; purchase some books in an accessible format; or access accessible books at libraries and other entities that have an institutional subscription to the Google Books database. Once the court approves the settlement, Google will work to launch these services as quickly as possible. Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: "Access to the printed word has historically been one of the greatest challenges faced by the blind. The agreement between Google and authors and publishers will revolutionize access to books for blind Americans. Blind people will be able to search for books through the Google Books interface and purchase, borrow, or read at a public library any of the books that are available to the general public in a format that is compatible with text enlargement software, text-to-speech screen access software, and refreshable Braille devices. With 7 million books already available in the Google Books collection and many more to come, this agreement means that blind people will have more access to print books than we have ever had in human history. The blind, just like the sighted, will have a world of education, information, and entertainment literally at our fingertips. The National Federation of the Blind commends the parties to this agreement for their commitment to full and equal access to information by the blind." "Among the most monumental aspects of the settlement agreement," said Jack Bernard, assistant general counsel at the University of Michigan, "are the terms that enable Google and libraries to make works accessible to people who have print disabilities. This unprecedented opportunity to access the printed word will make it possible for blind people to engage independently with our rich written culture. Moreover, it is refreshing to find accessibility for people with disabilities explicitly included upfront, rather than begrudgingly added as an afterthought." "One of the great promises of the settlement agreement is improving access to books for the blind and for those with print disabilities," said Dan Clancy, engineering director for Google Book Search. "Google is committed to extending all of the services available under the agreement to the blind and print disability community, making it easier to access these books through screen enlargement, reader, and Braille display technologies." To unsubscribe from this list send a blank Email to bksvol-discuss-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx put the word 'unsubscribe' by itself in the subject line. To get a list of available commands, put the word 'help' by itself in the subject line.To unsubscribe from this list send a blank Email to bksvol-discuss-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx put the word 'unsubscribe' by itself in the subject line. To get a list of available commands, put the word 'help' by itself in the subject line.
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