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Many older books, especially those from the nineteenth century printed on acid-based paper, gradually deteriorate. To prevent loss of the knowledge in these books, research libraries have built climate-controlled depositories for older books that have permanent research value. Also, recent projects by Xerox and Cornell University have produced electronic copies of old books through computer scanning.

The Google Books Library Project represents a similar effort. Begun in 2004, the project features partnerships with the New York Public Library and several major university research libraries to scan millions of books and make them available online and searchable through Google. The Authors Guild and the Association of American Publishers initially resisted having Google digitize books without permission. Google responded that displaying only a limited portion of the books was legal under “fair use” rules. Both sides worked to finalize an agreement in 2009, which would make millions of current and out-of-print books available for sale, with Google and authors and publishers sharing the revenue.

An alternative group, the Open Content Alliance, was dissatisfied with the Google Books Library Project’s intent to restrict scanned book content to Google’s search service. The alliance started a competing nonprofit service in 2007 that partners with the Boston Public Library, several New England university libraries, and Yahoo! to digitize millions of books with expired copyrights and make them freely available through the Internet Archive.

Censorship, the decline of bookstores and libraries, and physical deterioration of books all present daunting challenges to books as a mass medium essential to our democracy. But like other mass media, books—and the people who love them—have adapted as needed to keep this medium alive and vital. Witness the proliferation of book-discussion groups, the greater array of formats through which books are now available, and the power of a writer like J. K. Rowling to resurrect a passion for reading in children and adults alike. The ultimate value of books is their ability to encourage the exchange and exploration of ideas. Clearly, they are still serving this purpose—despite the challenges and changes that have reshaped this oldest of media.