There is one exception to the charges, and this should make libraries, struggling for relevance in an electronic world, very happy. Public and university libraries would have free access to the Google database. So if you want to read one of these online books, but don't want to pay for it, you will need to visit your local library for free access. As Roy Blount, Jr., President of the Authors Guild noted, "Readers wanting to view these books online in their entirety for free need only reacquaint themselves with their participating local library." And, in another tongue-in-cheek comment, added, "College students working on term papers will be able to point their computers to resources other than Wikipedia, if they are so inclined." However, you will have to pay a fee, even at the local library, if you wish to "print on demand" a hard copy of a copyrighted book.

This is one settlement that seems to have pleased everyone. Blount said he was "happy" to report this agreement, which gave his organization what it was seeking. Google appears equally pleased to have this issue behind it, and the freedom now to continue its digitization project, along with the opportunity to make its share of the money. And, for the rest of us, the settlement provides more access to more books, and the opportunity for free access if we visit a library. Disputes rarely end so well for all parties. All's well that ends well.