The architect of Google’s ambitious book program, Dan Clancy is said to be leaving for another ambitious Google program, YouTube. Clancy’s impending move comes with the Google Book Settlement now awaiting court approval, and with the imminent launch of Google Editions. Google officials were not available for comment, but multiple sources told PW that Clancy is indeed on the move.

Clancy has been the visionary, driving force behind Google’s book scanning efforts. Even as the controversy over Google’s library scanning program erupted, he remained a visible, accessible, good-natured and honest broker throughout the process, logging many miles to explain and to pitch the program, sometimes in front of unfriendly audiences. This in addition to being an engineer who, for all he could have done, decided to put his talents toward a compelling future for books on the Web. We hope Clancy’s first project involves some time on a beach somewhere. After that, we wish him all the best in his new endeavor.