GOOGLE BOOKS Meaning and
Definition
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Google Books is an online service provided by Google, offering users access to an extensive collection of digitized books that are in the public domain or have been approved for inclusion by the copyright holders. It aims to provide a vast digital library that allows users to search and preview books, read selected passages, and in many cases, download complete copies.
The platform was launched in 2004 as Google Print, initially focusing on digitizing books from major libraries worldwide. Over time, it transitioned into Google Books, a project encompassing multiple objectives. Its primary purpose is to aid users in discovering and accessing books online, including out-of-print and hard-to-find titles.
Google Books utilizes optical character recognition (OCR) technology to scan and convert printed books into searchable digital copies. This enables users to perform keyword searches across the content, facilitating efficient research and exploration. Books available for preview display brief snippets or selected pages from within the text, providing users with an idea of the book's content before making a purchasing decision.
In addition to aiding individual users, Google Books also benefits authors, publishers, and scholars by increasing the visibility and accessibility of their work. This can lead to increased book sales and broader readership. However, it is important to note that copyright concerns have arisen due to Google's scanning of copyrighted materials without explicit permission, resulting in legal disputes with some authors and publishers.
Overall, Google Books provides a convenient and wide-ranging online library experience, promoting reading and knowledge sharing while connecting readers with an extensive collection of books.
Etymology of GOOGLE BOOKS
The word "Google" is derived from the mathematical term "googol", which represents the number 1 followed by 100 zeros (10^100). The term "googol" was coined by mathematician Edward Kasner in the early 20th century. Larry Page and Sergey Brin, the co-founders of Google, chose this term to reflect their mission of organizing the vast amount of information available on the internet.
As for the term "Google Books", it refers to the service provided by Google that allows users to search and access the extensive collection of books scanned and converted into digital format. The term "Books" represents the focus of this specific Google service, offering access to a wide range of literary works and resources.
