The Future of Books

The future of books and demise of the printed word is a topic that has been causing much debate and controversy in the past few years and two articles, one by Aaron Saenz, and the other by James McQuivey, explore this idea brilliantly. Both of them talk about how in the past few years EBook have completely remodeled the world of literacy, although whether in a positive way is debatable.

Libraries are more commonly associated with the stern librarians and real shelves of books but this is starting to change. The Kindle Lending Library is allowing over 11 00 copies of digital books to be lent in public libraries and then loaned for short periods of time (7-14 days).The article in question seems to suggest that the death of libraries will announce the death of hard literature.Now is this the only reason which is suggests the previously mentioned “death of books”. NO.

Let me quote from the article “30% of all readers in the US consume both digital and physical books.During 2010 paperback sales dropped 25%.Predictions indicate that there will be 18 million e-books sold in 2011.As well as this,prices are now also adjusting. The average physical book is selling at around $15 but ebooks are more like $9.The summary which the writer makes in the last part of his article is that although the prices of books has effectively already dipped by $6 there is no reason why it can fall much further.The main reason for this - Piracy. It is not hard to scan a book and copy it- and it DOES happen, however in many ways this is a good thing as it encourages people to read and many will recommend a book they have stolen to another friend, who may buy it. The other issue is the need for publishing, marketing, distribution etc.. is all done online and the need for these companies is decreasing the whole time. We are undergoing a major change in the nature of how we sit down to read a good book, and that is unfortunately amongst all things- undeniable.

James Mcquiveys article, entitled ‘Why the Book Business may soon be the Most Digital of All Media Industries’, floods us with jaw dropping facts and figures and beautifully illustrates how the digital book really will become the normal within 4 years. We are told that by 2015 the industry will be worth 3 billion dollars. However at the moment only 7% of readers read digitally, those 7% though spend more and read more than the other 93%. It is this rise in books read because of an EBook that is sure to make the digital word a hugely profitable and large industry. He compares the digitisation of Book to that of Music and television, which make their money off adverts, sales, tickets and fees, whereas books make all their money at face value, there is no advertising or ticket sales, the only money made is made by buying a book. The publisher also benefits from books becoming digital as it allows them to produce a book without the extra costs of printing, meaning they can make more money and continue to fuel the ever expanding industry.

These articles do not represent completely the evolution of books and I feel that this digital growth is not necessarily a good thing. Although it does encourage more people to read and is much cheaper, to see the downfall of the printed word, one of the most timely of all traditions, would be abysmal and very upsetting.

By Jonah Freud, Adam Goodbody and Jasper Harlington