Google has launched a set of Book Search APIs (aka tools) that allow any site to access and integrate Google Book Search functionality.

We’re launching a set of free tools that allow retailers, publishers, and anyone with a web site to embed books from the Google Book Search index. We are also providing new ways for these sites to display full-text search results from Book Search, and even integrate with social features such as ratings, reviews, and readers’ book collections. By providing tools that help sites connect readers with books in new and interesting ways, we hope publishers and authors will find even wider audiences for their works.

Google is featuring partnerships like Books-A-Million that are using the Google Preview functionality.

I have mixed feelings about this initiative. The tools do help expose more people to more books. Yet, I have misgivings about Google being in the middle of so many book interactions. It feels to me like Google is trying to figure out whether it should make a larger investment into the book vertical. Trust me, they’re interested and no retailer should be running to Google with open arms in my opinion.

Google Base and Google Checkout together let nearly any seller (publisher, author, dealer) upload and sell books on the single largest distribution network on the Internet. The Google Book Search tools simply make it a more robust platform. You can cobble together Google Apps, Google Sites, Google Base, Google Checkout and Google Book Search and completely cut out middlemen like say … Amazon.com.

Perhaps this is a good thing though. If Google were to enter the market (for real) they might help increase sales and do so at slightly lower prices. However, this would likely be at the expense of aggregators like Amazon, Alibris, Abebooks and Biblio.

For now it seems like Google is satisfied to watch the game of double dutch, rocking back and forth poised to jump in at just the right time.

Borders Books is a company undergoing tremendous changes as it works to turn around its business in a flagging industry. Yet, based on some comments to a previous post, it seems like they’ve pissed off one of their most important assets – people. Here are a few excerpts:

From the front lines, those “strategic alternatives” included getting rid of managers and supervisors, eliminating the employee gift card of $25/mo. for full time employees, eliminating time and a half for all employees working holidays and the thing that is guaranteed to save their rosy butts — charging employees 35 cents for tea and coffee that had been previously free.

We have also been vigorously sending back music and book product to the vendors in order to get quick credit back at the expense of our empty bookshelves and music/DVD units …

… managers have been asked to cut back on supply ordering, and necessary repairs are not being completed.

My brother works for Borders and he said that they have just cut out the employee of the month program (probably because there was a $25 gift card given to the recipient).

Borders fires there dave Carpenter winner for 2005 because he cares about the customers. now they want to go to St Charles Ave. with no one that knows the city of New orleans. Is getting rid of your long standing employees a good idea?

I didn’t expect Borders employees to find my little corner of the Internet. I’m pleased though! They’ve found a place to vent and it’s extremely interesting to get their perspective on the changes taking place.

Some of the gripes above revolve around entitlements, perks that are now being taken away. I know some may say these folks are just whining but, if true, these moves are very short-sighted in my opinion. Books are not unique, they are essentially commodity products. Price is clearly a big part of the equation but the experience can also have a large impact on sales.

I doubt customers are getting the best service if these comments are a true indication of the current climate in Borders stores. And Borders needs every advantage they can get with Barnes and Noble, a host of online venues, and big box retailers like Target and Wal-Mart ratcheting up the competition.

So I again must ask whether Borders is really interested in turning around their business for the long haul or are they just looking to make the short-term financials look appealing enough to Barnes and Noble?

No, I’m not talking about The Paper Chase, the novel, movie and TV series featuring John Houseman. Instead, I’m referring to the UK stationary retailer that Borders purchased in 2004. Yes, according to Todd Sullivan of Seeking Alpha, Borders has hired Goldman Sachs “to conduct a review that ought to lead to a sale.”

Indeed, if you eyeball a May 27, 2008 Borders press release you’ll note the following under the International heading:

Management indicated that the strategic alternatives process for its Australia/New Zealand/Singapore and Paperchase businesses is ongoing.

Can I say again how much I dislike the euphemism “strategic alternatives process”. Putting aside this pet peeve, Borders has already sold the Australia business, so they’re not just talking but actually following through on these “strategic alternatives”.

This is yet another move by Borders to focus on the core business and the domestic (US) market. It makes sense whether they’re in it for the long run or simply making themselves pretty for a Barnes & Noble purchase.

As one Borders employee commented, “Paperchase is also losing money, and is a big waste of space.”