In only a few years, Google has become an authoritative provider of multiple products which have changed the digital information landscape. This book discusses how libraries can go beyond Google's basic search and Scholar functions to expand services for their patrons. Respected authorities reveal the expanding variety of new Google applications developed in the past few years, many of which have not received wide attention and are as yet not often used in libraries. Applications explored include Google Co-op, Google News, Google Docs & Spreadsheets, Google Calendar, and Google Talk. This book also discusses different important aspects of the company's expansion of functions, such as the failure of the Google Answers experiment, the broad variety of free Google applications that librarians can use to collaborate, and the success of Google's Blogger, among others. A helpful chronology of Google's growth is provided, as well as comparative analyses between various Google functions and other functions that are currently available. The book is extensively referenced.This book is an invaluable resource for academic librarians, public librarians, school librarians, library science faculty, and special librarians.
This book was published as a special issue of the Journal of Library Administration.