Quote:
Originally Posted by mldavis2
Some of the answer lies in how quickly the libraries are willing and financially able to adjust to changing markets. I live in a smallish town of around 10,000 and the library is a growing, changing service. They supply a dozen computers for internet access for those who are unable to afford a computer, they loan (rent) e-Readers, they host children's reading groups, they display exhibits ranging from civil war artifacts to author signings, they host book discussion groups. Some of this may go the way of the dinosaur, but in a community where many have no jobs and/or cannot afford to buy a $100 eReader or pay a $30/month online connection fee or purchase a $1000 computer or $500 tablet every few years, it is an oasis.  |
I had to check to see that you were not writing about my community, but I see that you are in Missouri, not Wisconsin.
Everything you said applies to my local library. Well except for the lending out e-book reader devices, but even that will likely change before the end of the year. Our local Friends of the Library organization I am active in is looking into purchasing a few devices for donation to the library. Right know we are leaning toward a few of the most inexpensive Kindle readers and maybe a couple of Fires.
I still believe that the traditional books stacks will not be going away anytime soon. I always prefer to read an ebook instead of paper, but still find that that my reading is about 40% ebook and 60% paper. There are just too many books that are not available as ebooks, and unless the trend to forever copyright is reversed these may never be.
I do have one problem with the recent addition of Kindle format ebooks to the ebook lending program for my library system (done through Overdrive). Even though I have a Sony device and always check out epub books, I decided to try out checking out a Kindle format book to see how it works.
One must actually download from Amazon and have an account with Amazon versus with the epub books just needing a library card. I am actually trying to convince the other Friends of Library governing body to go with either Sony or Nook devices instead of Kindles for this.