Dawlish News

Microsoft has launched a 'strategic partnership' with the British Library, paving the way for digital reproduction of 25 million pages of content. The deal will allow the world's biggest software firm to scan some of the library's collection and publish digital copies of journals, maps and manuscripts on the internet. Microsoft will work with the Open Content Alliance, a consortium of non-profit groups and Yahoo. The US software giant said it would invest $2.5 million (£1.4 million)in the British Library project in 2006 as 'an initial investment'. Lynne Brindley, the library's CEO, said: 'Our aim is to provide perpetual access to the intellectual output of the nation.' Microsoft sees the new tie-up as a way of boosting the competitiveness of its internet portal, MSN.