Software vendor Microsoft Corp., US, is reportedly shutting down the Live Search Books and Live Search Academic projects. Microsoft will however preserve the Live Search Books and Live Search Academics databases and these will appear in the regular Live web search results. The databases will remain as it is without any further updates, as the company is also winding down its 'digitisation initiatives' that include the library scanning and the in-copyright book programmes.
Microsoft is reaching out to participating publishers and libraries to build on the platform with Kirtas, the Internet Archive, CCS, and other partners. It wants the participating organisations to create and maintain digital archives available to library users and search engines. In partnership with Ingram Digital Group, it is reaching out to participating publishers with information about new marketing and sales opportunities designed to help them derive ongoing benefits from their participation in the Live Search Books Publisher Program. Furthermore, MSN is also providing the publishers with digital copies of their scanned books.
Microsoft has revoked contractual restrictions placed on the digitised library content, thus making it available to its digitiation partners and libraries that can further continue the digitisation programmes.
