People are doing it more than ever before. In
airports especially, but also while waiting in line at the grocery store, and
in the privacy of their own home. They’ve been lured to the “dark side,”
some would say. Traditional ways have been cast aside for new,
unconventional methods of pleasure. What do I speak about? Why
reading, of course! Now, more than ever, people are reading books on
their smart phones, eReader devices, and tablets. Everywhere you look,
people are eReading!
As the director at Neill Library, I often get asked what
I think about “that downloadable book thing.” The nature of this question
usually stems from a patron’s concern that advances in technology may eclipse
the old, traditional ways of enjoying a book and drive the physical book into
extinction. Let me make a bold statement. Books have stood
the test of time and will continue to do so. A physical book offers a
unique, sacred reading experience that a virtual book simply cannot. The
feel and smell of the paper the word is printed on, the turn of an actual page,
and the tangible weight of the author’s words offer a reading experience that
cannot be replicated in an ebook. Physical books can be enjoyed
regardless of battery strength and wifi connection. They never expire,
and with the simple pass of a hand can be shared with others without worrying
about format, license, or platforms. According to a recent study by the
Pew Research Center, “ nine in 10 (readers) have read printed books over the
past 12 months, two in 10 have read an ebook, and slightly more than one in 10
have listened to an audiobook.” Physical books have a revered place on
the shelf so let’s embrace the evolution of reading because downloadable books
are quickly becoming ubiquitous.
In today’s reading world, consumers have a choice between
paper and screen. Having just extolled the virtues of a physical book, I
freely admit that downloadable books also have their own unique properties and
advantages. Overdue fines never accrue because the books are
automatically returned after the check-out period is over. You
can’t damage or lose these books. And the file size small enough that
twenty, thirty, even forty titles or more can be stored on your ereader without
ever increasing weight or bulk, making this a convenient option for
travelers. Access to downloadable books is convenient and on-demand as
titles can be downloaded from the comfort of your own home, at any hour.
And the cool, techy nature of downloadable books has captured the attention of
young readers. The Pew Research Center reports that people ages 16 – 29
are reading more, and doing so on the screen of their phone, computer, or
eReader.
The costs related to eReading can be a deterrent.
But Neill Library and Whitman County Library District offer a cash-free way to
try out the downloadable reading experience. Thanks to a grant from the
Washington State Library and the Institute of Museum and Library Services, we
are partnering with four other libraries to offer Nook Simple Touch eReaders
for check-out. These devices are pre-loaded with genre specific titles
(romance, sci-fi, fiction, etc.) and can be checked out with your library card.
If you have thought about purchasing an eReader, or have
an eReader but are stymied about how to use it, Neill Library also offers help
through our “Book a Librarian” sessions. Each session is 25 minutes long
and provides personalized time with a dedicated librarian. By far,
eReader assistance has been the most popular reason we’ve seen for booking a
librarian. Contact us at 338-3254 for more information about this
personalized service.
Physical book or ebook, print or screen, the choice is
yours. The important thing is that you’re reading.
Joanna Bailey
Library Director,
Neill Public Library
1/19-20 Moscow Pullman Daily News
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