Now, When You Say "Book", Do You Mean "Paper Book" or "Digital Book"?

Inspired and intrigued by the introduction of Apple's iPad, a colleague raised the question about the possibility of books becoming irrelevant. With new technology oozing from the seams of every major software developer, it's a very interesting question. I actually began to wonder, "What is a book, anyway?"

So, will e-books eventually replace paper books, just as digital music replaced its predecessor the music album? Well, at the risk of sounding very traditional, here are my thoughts on this issue.

Reading is an experience, and there are now as there always have been, a wide swath of reading materials for one to consume. T.V., the Internet and digital media are all threats to the reading industry, however books and bookshops are part of our culture. People like the experience of reading a book, holding a book, smelling a book and being seen with a book, none of which can be replaced by iPod, iPad, or iAnything.

I'm not saying that I think e-books are bad and won’t have an impact. In fact, I believe they will change the future of books as we know them. I think e-publishing has and will continue to massively increase the accessibility and circulation of research and literature. For those who can afford the gadgets, it's easy, convenient, and often cheaper than buying the printed version. Not to mention the environmental benefits of paperless books, and the elimination of transportation of goods. And of course, there are already many classrooms in which every student has their own laptop and all textbooks are digital.

In conclusion, there is no doubt that e-books will change the future of book production and distribution, but I don’t think the “paper book” will be extinct any time soon. Perhaps, one day I will look back on my naivety and laugh! Only time will tell.

Marcia