> Plain text books? How novel
- 26 Jul 07, 12:35 PM
Google book search is now providing full versions of plain text out of copyright books.
This is really quite cool. Until now, they were only available as PDFs, which are notoriously difficult to get around for visually impaired people using screen reader software.
Probably the real joy will be in finding unusual titles that you’ve not come across before. But to name check a couple of impressive books to whet you’re appetite, you can have a read of Dante’s Inferno or Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey.
If you are aware of the RNIB’s ‘Right to Read’ campaign, then you’ll know that their research has shown that 96 per cent of books are not available in large print, audio or braille. Which gives a bit of context as to why this could be a such huge development. If you do visit the RNIB website to learn more about the campaign, think about signing the Right to Read declaration as well.
In the Google Book search results, out of copyright material will have a “full view” option to click. The plain text version is available by following the “view plain text” link. Those still under copyright have a “limited preview” option and only provide restricted access to content.
Dr TV Raman, of Google’s Accessible Search tool and who is visually impaired said, “Book Search is an excellent example of how technology is truly democratizing access to the world's information.” Now, OK, he might be understandably excited by what his own company is doing, but still. It is a certainly a step in the right direction for making more books available in an accessible format.
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This is a very welcome development: however it's not just people with visual difficulties who benefit from digital books - people who can't physically hold or handle books or turn the pages can use digital versions and press a key or click a switch to turn the page; and people with dyslexia or learning difficulties can have the text read out by the computer. See Books for All at the URL above - a major investigation into the need for school books (including reading books) in alternative formats for ALL print-disabled people.
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