British Library Plans To Release Free Classic E-Books

Starting in spring 2010, Amazon Kindle users will be able to download over 65,000 19th century classic books that will have the look of a first edition for free. The novels of such famous authors as Jane Austen, Thomas Hardy and Charles Dickens will be electronically stored using the original illustrations and type face to give an e-book with an antique feel.

Dame Lynne Brindley, the British Library’s Chief Executive, said that making 19th century fiction available at no charge would open up a new global readership for some forgotten literary gems. Around 25 million digitized pages will be made available.

The British Library has partnered with Microsoft over the last three years to digitize and store text and images from out of copyright works. Special software – “Turning The Pages” – which Microsoft helped to develop lets users gain access to rare manuscripts which they would otherwise be unable to read. Viewers can zoom in on a page, alter the orientation and view details of illustrations – especially useful for works such as Leonardo da Vinci’s notebooks or musical scores by the likes of Mozart.

At least one copy of every work of literature published in the UK is held in the British Library. Approximately 40% of the 19th century works held there are not available in other libraries.

This announcement represent only the latest phase in the British Library’s ongoing project which has made in excess of two million pages from 19th century British newspapers available to the public. It’s planned that another 50 million items will be scanned, stored and made available by 2020. The storage of 20th century out of copyright books is due to commence in the near future – but this part of the project still requires finance to be secured.

Readers who have a preference for more conventional reading material will be able to purchase hard copies of the books which will have the same “first edition” look and feel as the originals from Amazon. Prices are estimated to start at around $ 23.

Read more about the Amazon Kindle reader for yourself – and pick out a Kindle cover to both customise and protect your reader.

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