Welcome to MobileRead and the eDGe, HelenaCan!
Not only do you not need to root your device when it comes, you also do not have to update to the latest software, which is a beta release.
You will have a lot of functionality and plenty to learn right out of the box.
Upgrading is probably a good idea, because it means you can use more Android apps (up to version 2.2 from 1.6) and your device can "hibernate", which means it goes longer before needing to be recharged. But rooting -- that is fancy stuff for people who want to make the eDGe more than it already is. Leave them to it, I say!
