How will they evolve
as E-books eclipse the paper book?
In the battle between traditional books and E-books, many
would say traditional books are on the path to retreat. While Kindles and Kobos
provide a simple, compact, technological alternative to the burden and clutter
of weighty paper tomes, it may be hard to argue in favour of the traditional
book. E-books and E-readers make accessing literature as simple and convenient
as the click of a mouse. Compare that to the tactile experience of traveling to
a book store or library, searching bodily for a volume and physically carrying
it to and fro.
But do the boons of the changing literary technology render
the traditional book and it’s once ubiquitous community outlet - the library,
obsolete?
To me, a frequent library patron and lover of books, it
would be a crying shame to close the communities’ libraries. In the matter of
the physical book versus the electronic version, it can be a matter of personal
preference. Some prefer to collect and build up their bookshelves, some just
like the feel of thumbing the pages, for others it goes further involving
nostalgia and childhood memories. But is the practicality of housing,
transporting and manufacturing the paper book becoming simply not worth it?
I could go on about the virtues of the paper book and how I
believe enthusiasts like myself will ensure they never completely fade away.
But the library issue is about more than paper vs click. Many would argue that
as long as people are reading, what matters the format? E-books are cheaper,
easier on the environment, available at a click. True, all true. But let’s get
back to libraries.
If E-books, and the receding popularity of reading in its
traditional sense are to blame for the closure of libraries then the libraries
must evolve. And many are. Many libraries across the modern world are
digitizing their collections. Unfortunately government cuts in funding to
public libraries have been increasing steadily since the 1990s. Ironically,
this makes it difficult for libraries to modernize, making themselves more
accessible to today’s public.
Many of you might be thinking back on the last time you set
foot in a public library. Was it that research paper in 4th year?
Yes, library attendance is going down. But for a large segment of the
population it provides a much needed haven. For years libraries have been
providing a bridge over the digital divide, providing computer and internet
access freely to the public. Providing a warm place to go, learn and feel
connected is a vital service our community needs.
So all that to pose
the question:
Do you see an evolution or an extinction of the world’s
public libraries?
