Two Libraries Join Windows Live Book Search

Microsoft announced Friday that it had enhanced Windows Live Book Search, adding a new feature that would allow publishers to submit their in-copyright books to become part of the service. Additionally, more material would be added as a result of the addition of the University of California and the University of Toronto libraries, Microsoft said.

The University of California library contains some 34 million books across 100 libraries on ten campuses, making it the world's largest academic library. The University of Toronto's collection spans some 15 million volumes and its considered one of the top research libraries in North America.

"We're pleased to work with Microsoft to advance this major digitization effort," said Daniel Greenstein, associate vice provost and university librarian, University of California. "It is a new and exiting vehicle for revealing some of the many treasures that have been assembled by the libraries of this great public institution."

Microsoft will work with the Open Content Alliance (OCA) to scan the publicly available works from both libraries. The company did not disclose how long they believe it would take to scan the catalogues of the two libraries.

The Windows Live Books Publisher Program will also give publishers the opportunity to have their in-print titles included in the service. Books can be sent to Microsoft, which would scan them free of charge.

As a service to those who provide the Redmond company with books, Microsoft will include links to allow for purchasing of searchable works through participating online resellers.