Project Gutenberg was founded in 1971 with the noble aim to promote world literacy (Lebert, 2010). Users can read more than 46,000 books online or download the free e-book directly from the website. Titles are available in multiple languages as e-pub or kindle products (Project Gutenberg, 2014). This extremely easy and free method is great for consumers interested in the content. However, this service will not satisfy customers who desire a quality physical product to display on their bookshelf.
Google Books Library has a different approach to sharing books than Project Gutenberg. Google not only offers free, complete, out-of-copyright books they also provide snippets of current copyrighted books. They consider themselves an intermediary, connecting libraries and publishers to readers. Their objective is to allow users to find the content they desire (Google.co.uk, 2014). In return for, what some would consider a substantial quantity of searchable and readable content, Google is able to provide information on and subsequently promote titles for publishers. However, with so much of the book available to view, customers may no longer feel the need to buy the whole version.
Competing with free content is far from ideal but publishers do have a competitive advantage. Many of the popular out-of-copyright titles are considered classics, which are generally considered a bookshelf investment. Customers interested in owning classics are likely to appreciate a long lasting, aesthetically pleasing physical book to display.
Publishers also have the option of competing with free alternatives by adapting out-of-copyright content. For example Classical Comics publishes classic literature in the form of graphic novels (Classicalcomics.com, 2013). Although the artwork has to be paid for, these stunning graphic novels are a much more interesting and visually engaging than the free content provided by Google Books Library or Project Gutenberg.
As physical libraries become less popular, easily accessible online content providers such as Project Gutenberg and Google Books Library are increasingly culturally important. Publishers should expect to lose some potential sales to these free options, especially because libraries and students won’t need to buy copies. However, the passionate readers of classics and book enthusiasts are likely to recognise the advantages of a long lasting book that has been custom designed for the content.
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Bibliography
- Classicalcomics.com, (2013). Classical Comics. [Online] Available at: http://www.classicalcomics.com [Accessed 25 Nov. 2014].
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- Gutenberg, P. (2014). Project Gutenberg Self-Publishing - eBooks: Why Choose to Self-Publish at The Author's Community?. [Online] Self.gutenberg.org. Available at: http://self.gutenberg.org/view/Why-Choose-Self-Publishing.aspx [Accessed 9 Nov. 2014].
- Gutenberg, P. (2014). Project Gutenberg Self-Publishing - eBooks: Submission Guidelines. [Online] Self.gutenberg.org. Available at: http://self.gutenberg.org/view/submission-guidelines-.aspx [Accessed 9 Nov. 2014].
- Gutenberg, P. (2014). Project Gutenberg Self-Publishing - eBooks | Read eBooks online | Most Popular. [Online] Self.gutenberg.org. Available at: http://self.gutenberg.org/CollectionLocal [Accessed 9 Nov. 2014].
- Lebert, M. (2010). Essay on the History of Project Gutenberg | Project Gutenberg News. [Online] Project Gutenberg News. Available at: http://www.gutenbergnews.org/about/history-of-project-gutenberg/ [Accessed 9 Nov. 2014].
- Project Gutenberg, (2014). Project Gutenberg. [Online] Available at: http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Main_Page [Accessed 9 Nov. 2014].