Quote:
Originally Posted by Catlady
But again, if they've got a device like that, all they need is the library card. I don't know that ownership of a digital file would feel significant to a child the way ownership of a physical book felt meaningful to kids in earlier generations. Seems like it would be better to donate the e-books to the public libraries to expand their collections of kids' books.
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- RE: "But again, if they've got a device like that, all they need is the library card."
And, of course, the motivation to use the device to read, and to get and use a library card! I gather that motivation is lacking among this target audience.
- RE: "I don't know that ownership of a digital file would feel significant to a child the way ownership of a physical book felt meaningful to kids in earlier generations."
I concur. In fact, recent articles have quoted research findings that
kids prefer printed books to digital ones. I suspect at least two issues might be at play here: (1) giving away ebooks might be easier and cheaper than giving away printed books, and (2) this ebook giveaway program may serve an additional agenda (namely, to make progress toward bridging the digital divide in the target areas).
- RE: "Seems like it would be better to donate the e-books to the public libraries to expand their collections of kids' books."
Takes us back to the first bullet point.