ebooks ~ What happens to the library?

[Marie-Claude aka MC]

I own an ereader and while I read most of my books on it now, I still purchase printed copies from time to time. The ereader does NOT compare to the feeling of having a book in your hands. I love books with passion, and the books that I enjoy the most, I will buy the printed version of it. Plus, I am from Quebec, in Canada. And I read a lot of stuff from authors around here written in French. Ereading isn't really popular that much still and while there isn't much selection for ebooks... They are almost as expensive as the actual printed version. Such a ripoff. So I will pay the extra 1$ or 2$ to get the freakin' book! We'll probably all be dead when or if libraries all go out of business... ;)

[Deale]

Marie-claude wrote: "I own an ereader and while I read most of my books on it now, I still purchase printed copies from time to time. The ereader does NOT compare to the feeling of having a book in your hands. I love b..." Marie...I agree that libraries are not going out of business. I was a librarian and we definitely were not going out of business. But, the 'business' has changed. Our library has ebooks for checkout just like paper ones. I buy both, but I love the feel of paper. I agree totally that there are not many books in other languages (I am studying French). However, for those learning a language, there are dual language books on ereaders (I have Nook). They are very cool. You read on one page, touch, and the other language appears.

[Amy]

Marie-claude wrote: "I own an ereader and while I read most of my books on it now, I still purchase printed copies from time to time. The ereader does NOT compare to the feeling of having a book in your hands. I love b..."

You bring up an interesting point about the rising price of the eBook. I have a Nook and am getting really annoyed at the pricing, especially on the eBooks of paperbacks. Lately I've noticed many, many books priced at $9.99 for the eBook but $10.98 for the paperback. A few times, the paperback has been cheaper than the eBook. You can't tell me it only cost $0.98 more to print, bind, and ship the paperback versus the eBook that has no printing or shipping costs. Yes, you can save a few bucks when a title is new versus the hardcover, but the prices when a title hits paperback is ridiculous. Greedy much? When I purchased my Nook, most prices were around $9.99-11.99. Now, they are $11.99-15.99 for new titles. The eBook version of the JK Rowling book coming out in Sept? $19.99! No wonder I rely almost fully on the library! I couldn't afford to read as much as I want to otherwise.

[Stephanie]

Too right, Amy. This is another issue I have with eBooks. Why are they so darn expensive?!? I have a hard time paying for something I can't hold in my hands, that could get erased, or would not be available if something happened to my reader and I didn't back it up with somthing. And really... what if Zombie Apocolypse hits and there is no electricity? Lot of good those ereaders will be then... ;)

[Amy]

Stephanie wrote: "Too right, Amy. This is another issue I have with eBooks. Why are they so darn expensive?!? I have a hard time paying for something I can't hold in my hands, that could get erased, or would not ..."

Very true. I also have a problem spending money on BandN eBooks for my Nook because if down the road I buy a Kobo, for instance, the Nook books I purchased would be useless, if I'm correct in understanding. The eReader is convenient and portable, especially for large books and travel, but I do have many reservations about them as well. I'm flying to Seattle next month and am happy to have an eReader for travel, but I still read way more printed books from my library. They are free :)

[Steve]

I have not paid for an ebook for my Kindle yet. Right now I have over 50 marked "to read".

There are many places to get free ebooks, whether it be for the Nook, Kindle, Kobo, etc. In fact, I have a few on my Kindle Touch that were in epub format, and converted with Calibre, then uploaded to my Kindle. Also, I get some through my local library at times, which are in various formats.

I still go to the library and pick up regular print books all the time. Actually, my last two books reviewed were obtained from the library just this weekend:
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

[Marie-Claude aka MC]

Calibre is such a MUST HAVE for any ebook readers. You can download any books in PDF format and then change it to whatever format you need for your ereader... Saving big bucks by doing that.

[Grace]

I can't see libraries completely dying out. I have been a member of one library or another since I was kid. I also have an ereader and most of the books I read are downloaded from the library. For me this is brilliant because due to being a library member all of my life I have never purchased a great deal of books (also because I very rarely re-read them). So for me this is the best of both worlds.

In terms of lending libraries, they have had to diversify over the last 20 years and I daresay that they will continue to do this. There are now a lot of libraries offering ebooks services. I personally can't see the end of a lending library for quite some time

[Sue]

Grace wrote: "I can't see libraries completely dying out. I have been a member of one library or another since I was kid. I also have an ereader and most of the books I read are downloaded from the library. F..."

I couldn't agree more, libraries have definitely evolved especially in the last decade. They've embraced technology in their own way. Electronic media (books) have turned the corner, back 5 years ago the price savings was nearly eye popping at 40% less, now they are creaping closer to retail with some savings only 15% less most probably average closer to 20%.

I think the reason for this is two fold, for one the printers market has shrunk and waste is no longer as high, a percentage of waste costs are added directly to the overall retail. And the second and most obvious is with eReaders coming in all types, sizes, shapes and prices. The market expanded greatly, I think amazon's Fire needs to take a bow here, I noticed right after Christmas this year. Queues for eBooks from the library would be double digits deep instead of what I had gotten use to, in the lower single digits. What is a SHAME is that once done with a digital title there is no way to "lend it", unlike the popular lending your paper books to friends as we've all done in the past. This is where paper is better than electronic media because it is "shareable". I have a Sony eReader maybe other eReaders are better at sharing, mine is not. I now actually buy "gently used" paper copies when I can't locate a copy via the library and donate it to local library. In this small way I feel likely I'm paying them back for the years of enjoyment they've provided. If this donation could be done from my eReader, I would do it... this is where the trouble lies.

As for the future, I do think in the next decade or two, libraries will have their own form of eReaders to lend out, over time technology does get cheaper and cheaper and you never know may outstrip the cost of paper. ( I see these eReaders loaded with the requested content that expires).

[Grace]

Sue wrote: "Grace wrote: "I can't see libraries completely dying out. I have been a member of one library or another since I was kid. I also have an ereader and most of the books I read are downloaded from t..."

Hi Sue, I completely agree with your comments concerning the lending of books. This is one area where paper books surpasses ebooks. Also another person commented on here that when it comes to reading biographies that these are better in paper format and in terms of flicking back and forth to look at photographs etc., this is true. There are therefore some things that the old fashioned format is better than the new technology at.

[Tomerobber]

My experience with eBooks varies some with the stories my fellow readers have described. I bought a Rocket eReader back in 1999 when they were finally providing a Mac version and I was blown away with the possibilities - unfortunately the company was developed and sold to someone else who did not share or continue to develop its potential. Eventually they no longer supported it and here I was with 2 devices that I could no longer get content for. Ergo I decided I would never buy a stand-alone device again. With the advent of iTouch and iPad I am back to enjoying the flexibility and ease of reading . . and even if they no longer supported reading software . . . I could still use the device for other things. I just recently purchased a third tier iPad with the retina display and I LOVE it. It's just like reading a print edition. I also subscribe to 5-6 magazines through Zinio and they are fantastic. It's so much more amazing than trying to read off of a computer screen. I've decided to use this as my main reading device. I also have an Audible account and listen to many audio books as well. And my local library has continued to make improvements in it's eBook delivery system so I can also make use of it as well. And I love the improvements made with Project Gutenberg and now can download directly from them to different software readers on a variety of hardware devices . . . I am so grateful that I live in such an age of change!!! As a book lover I am already in Heaven!!!!! If I do find myself purchasing a print edition of a book . . I usually donate it to my local library when finished and that helps support them as well.

[Janet]

I think e-readers are great for when you travel and don't want to lug a bunch of books around. But personally, I find the experience of reading novels on them too much like reading on the computer, which I do all day for work....no thanks. I think we need to change how we think about e-readers...it's just another delivery method. We don't worry that audiobooks will drive out print books (although it would be interesting research to see if that was predicted when they first came out). I see e-readers and e-books just giving readers one more choice about how to have content delivered to them. What we really need to worry about is that the majority of the people in the United States don't even read one book (of any type) in a year's time. I fear that we will become a nation of illiterates!

[Sue]

Janet wrote: "What we really need to worry about is that the majority of the people in the United States don't even read one book (of any type) in a year's time. I fear that we will become a nation of illiterates!
.."

This line says it all! Reading for pleasure, I truly feel sorry for those that don't enjoy the practice. I think most of us know "the Movie" is never as good as "the book".

It's interesting - school summer reading programs have gotten much better than in my day, the titles are wonderful. They'll promote the latest general fiction titles, things you know will have them pause and think. Even for those "non-readers" audio books are a good way to go, a book allows your imagination to flow. You see the images not as hollywood has decided but as the author intended.

Point is... kids are pretty overprocessed these days, running in forty directions, they make me tired just thinking about it. I think we all agree, reading is "quiet" time and I just don't see it. The need to compete, to be better. No, a child that reads is driven by his/her own pleasure with the medium.

Reading is one thing, but I think every child needs to write. There is nothing like writing that truly teaches you the vehicles and mechanisms of what makes a book/story enjoyable. And fun writing, anything goes fanfiction to sci-fi other world and anything inbetween. Imaginations feed ideas and inovation! Creative arts in any way opens our minds to possiblilites.

[Carrie]

Lorenzo wrote: "I think the dollar price of this emerging technology--e-readers, e-books--will in short order rein in its seeming relentless advance. Already we're seeing the prices for e-texts rise to nearly mat..."
I totally agree, I spend sometimes 14.99 or 10.99 on an e-book that I could get at a library for free. The prices have gone skyhigh. Its only a matter of time before people cannot or will not want to keep paying that price. Libraries will always be there for the majority that cannot afford the high priced technology. Also there are always used book stores to worry about, what about the small business owner! I love the used bookstore--the smell, the surprise finds!

[Amy]

Sue wrote: "Janet wrote: "What we really need to worry about is that the majority of the people in the United States don't even read one book (of any type) in a year's time. I fear that we will become a nation..."

As I high school English teacher, I am saddened by how little our kids read today. To many of them, reading is too hard, slow, and boring compared to the instant gratification they get from movies, video games, and the Internet. Many have lost the ability to visualize the story as they read. I remember my principal saying she read somewhere that only about 30% of a class will actually read the material assigned. It's a discouraging thing for a teacher. After the last bell of the day, we cannot control what they do until bedtime, and too often now, what they do is TV, Xbox (etc), and surf the Web.

[Sue]

Amy wrote: "Sue wrote: "Janet wrote: "What we really need to worry about is that the majority of the people in the United States don't even read one book (of any type) in a year's time. I fear that we will bec..."

I have a question, does your school provided variety when it comes to summer reading choices? I noticed about 2 years ago my son's HS switched to "a book", with questions... this summer it's Nickel and Dime.

I actually don't agree with that method. That becomes "work" instead of encouragement to read for the sake of reading. I have to say that was an absolutely issue for me back in the day. And in HS I read at least several novels per week so reading itself wasn't my issue. Book assignments during the school year have to happen, can't even imagine how you'd control a class otherwise. But I think summer reading should have more of a "entertainment" point of view. I believe students should be given a wide variety of choices. Let's face it kids love things like Hunger Games, Twilight, City of Bones, etc. I think the point is that they read, one novel could very well lead to another. Not everything should be writen by wordsmith's like Koontz. Though I do encourage anyone to read Odd Thomas Series (20 something boy who communicates with ghosts and solves murders). The word choices are so satisfying to this reader.

But, I'm positive as a teacher your heartsick over the lack of reading. I applaud teachers who valently work against the tide, one child, one day at a time I'm sure suits the profession well. I also applaud Parents who encourage reading and limit usage of video games and TV.

LOL moment - notice almost anything good on TV or at the movies is based on a book. Now that's a selling point, i.e. Catching Fire would be a great book to encourage readers especially if they loved Hunger Games. No movie yet and they just might want to know what happen to the three key characters.

[Bob]

AS a volunteer in my local library, e-books are another part of the collection. Libraries are changing and adapting to the electronic world but hard cover books will not go away. Not all books are issued for e-readers. Libraries serve many functions from research to employment centers to providing internet services to people who cannot afford an internet connection. Books collections and checking out books are only a part of the services offered and provided by libraries.

[Jenn]

I think that there are plenty of people who prefer holding a book that libraries won't die out and they are a great resource for information when you cannot trust things you find onlline and what not. I love going to my library and would be lost without it.

[Sue]

Jenn wrote: "I think that there are plenty of people who prefer holding a book that libraries won't die out and they are a great resource for information when you cannot trust things you find onlline and what n..."

I couldn't agree more, I also love my library... lol When I retire I plan to be a volunteer. Why not, surounded by books... what's not to love.

[Al]

Where I live in Vermont there are paperback books sales in several close by communities. At a $ a book, with hard cover costing $1.50. Yeah, they are heavy but when your done I put them in a box and bring back to the sale place and buy more

[Amy]

Sue wrote: "Amy wrote: "Sue wrote: "Janet wrote: "What we really need to worry about is that the majority of the people in the United States don't even read one book (of any type) in a year's time. I fear that..."

I'm fortunate to be in a very small school, so I am allowed to select my own curriculum as long as it follows the state standards (now switching to the National Common Core standards). I try my hardest to select high-interest novels. The Hunger Games, Tangerine, Tex, Night, Touching Spirit Bear, The Book Thief, etc. are all part of my curriculum. Unfortnately the new National Common Core stresses non-fiction texts - especially historical writings and political documents, which will be even harder to get kids to read. I see the point - try to get students to read more challenging texts, but if they won't read it, they are not getting anything from it. The Hunger Games was very successful - I would say I had about 90% of the class read that one. One aspect I cannot control other than forcing all reading and all work completed in the classroom with no homework is damn sparknotes and cliffnotes online. Say I assign chapters 9-11 of a book for the next day, the majority of students head home and read the summaries off the Internet. Is it enough to squeak by? Yes - it gives them enough of what's going on to answer fairly compentently at a B/C level. Even if I know they only read the online summary - I cannot count responses as "wrong/incorrect" if they technically are not. It's a battle.

[Cheyenne]

I don't think libraries will die out any time soon. I think if anything, they will evolve; they already are. They have more digital offerings in the form of e-books, dvds, cds, audiobooks. They have more computers. They offer more in terms of community programs, for example, tax services, resume/interviewing workshops, industry speakers. This at least applies to the libraries in my city. If you look at a library as a place that provides information to the public for free(or cheaply), then no, they aren't going anywhere.

I do own an e-reader(NookColor), mainly because space is just limited in my small apartment. If anything, I think I read more now because it's far too easy to download e-books from the library from the comfort of my home using Overdrive. I do love the feel of physical books and LOVE bookstores and libraries. I would definitely spend the money on a physical book before an electronic one simply because it's so much easier to pass on a physical book. An electronic book can only be passed if the other person has a device to view it on and it definitely can't be donated.

[Sue]

Amy wrote: "Sue wrote: "Amy wrote: "Sue wrote: "Janet wrote: "What we really need to worry about is that the majority of the people in the United States don't even read one book (of any type) in a year's time...."

Wow I'm so disappointed in the strictures in the curriculum, in some ways I wished they set those strictures not in "English/Literature" but apply them to the sciences (political/practical). Why not fill the non-fiction requirement while teaching U.S. History or Earth Science, then the material would match the course. Leave Literature to the fiction readers (Imagination powers invention). Bravo on incorporating the more YA text's, getting students to read should be the point.

[Ruth]

I love the feel of a book in my hands. I did break down and bought a kindle because I'm running out of room in my bookcases. No matter how many books I give away the bookcases never get any emptier. I think they're breeding in there. lol.

[get stuffed]

My younger grandson is an avid reader and he has never held a book in his life.

The next generation will visit libraries the way they do museums - as historical pieces.

I'm sure the people who made papyrus or vellum thought that nothing could ever replace them, same with the monks* who hand wrote books.

I embrace the change because its the democratisation of knowledge - no longer are you limited to what the library thinks is worth reading or wants to ban because it's bad for you. Through the web all knowledge is available instantly and it is having a massive impact.

*In my view some organisations better watch out too - like The Catholic Church. Once true knowledge is abroad you can't constrict what people read. No bad thing in my opinion.

ps - I'm not against religions, just the people who run them.

[Deale]

I am a librarian, and while libraries do select what they buy based on communities, research needs, cultures, they do NOT ban books!!!! please see ala.org for the bill of rights on this issue. We even have Banned Books Weeks to acknowledge the books communities and schools attempt to band. Sometimes communities/schools do ban a book, and in some of those cases, libraries/librarians have gone to ACLU who works in partnership on these issues. A year or so ago the slogan was "Celebrate Freedom Read Banned Books".
Libraries do NOT restrict what people read, and there is always inter-library loan (FREE) for those who want something your local library does not have in its collection.
And, libraries are buying ebooks for downloading onto various pads, pods, nooks and etc. Most people working in libraries love this.
I agree with you on most churches but libraries are not religious groups with zealots. They are organizations attempting on limited1!! budgets to provide info to communities.

[Angela]

Deale wrote: "I am a librarian, and while libraries do select what they buy based on communities, research needs, cultures, they do NOT ban books!!!! please see ala.org for the bill of rights on this issue. We ..."

I agree with you totally. I am a library assistant and cannot agree with the comment "no longer are you limited to what the library thinks is worth reading or wants to ban because it's bad for you". In fact I find this comment quite offensive. My library continually stocks the latest best sellers (like the bookshops) and we certainly DON'T ban books.
I can't see my library becoming a "museum piece" because we are continually moving with the times and provide FAR more than just reading matter.
Perhaps Jim hasn't been to a library in a while!

[Deale]

Agree with your agreeing Angela. I do agree with Jim liking the democratization of knowledge. However, since google, for example, posts search results based on who advertises, I am not sure the net is a good example. Nor is it necessarily 'knowledge' one is getting. Learning to search well is something libraries teach (ta da).
In my library, we are busy busy!!! not becoming a museum yet. LOL

[Sue]

I think libraries are a wonderful resource and a public service, there are still so many people out there without internet access. Most jobs you can't even apply to in person anymore, without libraries folks would continue to be jobless without prospects.

And thats only one tiny service the library provides, but it leads to so much more.

As I child and pre-teen I lived at my library, in my neighborhood it was an adventure to go. Got to walk a whole mile from my house.

I personally stopped going to the library when I discovered the net and mostly because I could browse books online and purchase. My first internet purchase was a book from Amazon.

Well in this economy I've rediscovered my library and am thrilled with the online resources they provide, I only now purchase books the library doesn't have and then I donate it to the library when I'm done. Just my way of paying them back with a currency I know will be appreciated (a gently used book).

I think libraries need to be rediscovered, need a national campaign to bring some attention to them.

[Angela]

Deale wrote: "Agree with your agreeing Angela. I do agree with Jim liking the democratization of knowledge. However, since google, for example, posts search results based on who advertises, I am not sure the n..."

....and busy busy here too!!!! :)

[Angela]

Sue wrote: "I think libraries are a wonderful resource and a public service, there are still so many people out there without internet access. Most jobs you can't even apply to in person anymore, without libr..."

....applauds loudly!!

[get stuffed]

Angela wrote: "Deale wrote: "I am a librarian, and while libraries do select what they buy based on communities, research needs, cultures, they do NOT ban books!!!! please see ala.org for the bill of rights on t..."

I do apologise if I offended you.
I assume that you are in America (ref 'bill of rights)and whereas the libraries there may be wonderfully open this is not the case in other countries (eg United Arab Emirates). I also know from my travels in America that it is not as digitally wired as other countries and that communities (complete with libraries) are still a force of nature there.

I still stick to the main thrust of my argument though, that ebooks will inevitably reduce libraries to an historical footnote. I practically grew up in a library and I would not be as well read as I am if it were not for the services it provided (in Scotland)but technology will have its way.

I also think that they will cause great damage to authors' rights in line with what happened in the music business. It's a double edged sword.

[Deale]

Jim, good morning...no offense taken...just involved in a good discussion. You are right, libraries are as accessible as those in America. My Chinese friends have to order their books from the librarian who brings the books to them. They were surprised to be able to browse. browsing is one of the most essential things in research or pleasure reading, I think.
Thanks to the Gates Foundation, all libraries are wired here, and you are right, probably not as well as some in other countries. Small communities (such as mine) are poor, so, this effort was vital.
In college libraries, most articles are on databases, as you know. But both our public and, I think (not sure,) academic libraries are seeing an increase in people reading. Reading paper. Why is this? IMO it is economics. Libraries are cheaper than purchase. Unfortunately, what students are doing for research sometimes is google not article databases, which means they can be woefully uninformed and inaccurate.
Interesting what you say about authors' rights...some authors are offering free ebooks (free Fridays on the Nook) so you get acquainted with their work. I have and have not bought further boosk. I too am concerned about that issue. Technology will indeed 'have its way' as you say.
When I was a kid (small suburb of Minneapolis) I spent a lot of time at the library reading, taking out books. No technology then!
Take care.

[Amy]

Deale - I covet your job :). I am a high school English teacher, so I completely get what you mean that students research with google rather than article databases. I'm hoping the new National Common Core Standards that focuses on depth instead of breadth will allow me to give the students more time to do real, quality research rather than the pitfalls of Google in order to get through the material faster. As for my thoughts on the library - if I didn't have library access, I could never, ever afford to read as much as I get to. In fact, my daughters (6 and 4) and I are going to our library today (a 35-mile trip to get there). I have a couple holds to pick up, the girls have books to return before getting new ones to check out, and they have their summer reading program to turn in to get their reading reward. Actually, we make use of 2 libraries. Our tiny town of 400 people has a small library (great books for the girls, not as many for my reading taste), and we drive 35-miles to a larger city to use their library system (I am a paid library member since we don't live there). I believe with all the research tools and technology (and eBook checkouts) and other services offered (tax help, resume/interview instruction, etc), libraries have done very well to catch up to the needs of the 21st century.

[Sue]

Amy wrote: "Deale - I covet your job :). I am a high school English teacher, so I completely get what you mean that students research with google rather than article databases. I'm hoping the new National Comm..."

Amy, Your comments made me realize just how much I take the library access for granted (i.e. Access, mine is well stocked and staffed) and it's less than 10 minutes from my house. And the hours I noticed have shifted to bring in the 9-5 population, my library opens at 10 AM and closes as 8PM. Without those hours, I seriously doubt I would be the patron I am.

Thanks for reminding me that I should count my blessings.

[Dee]

so what do you say about the library in FL that removed the copies of 50 shades of grey that they had purchased because they didn't realize prior to purchase what it was about...http://www.thehawkeye.com/story/50-Sh...

Deale wrote: "I am a librarian, and while libraries do select what they buy based on communities, research needs, cultures, they do NOT ban books!!!! please see ala.org for the bill of rights on this issue. We ..."

[Deale]

Well, I should've said are not supposed to ban books. LOL. Most libraries in the article did not ban Shades of Gray. Libraries are responsible to a board; it is unfortunate that librarians succumb to pressure from boards or their own ideas of value. The south is notorious for this sort of behavior (sorry but true). I wonder what the ALA (American Library Association) says about this.
When I was at the middle school level, I had one challenge (not supported by my board of ed) and a couple nasty letters. There were books I did not purchase for middle school students, but if asked, I would inter-library loan any book. There were many banned (attempted or actual) books in my library...like To Kill a Mockingbird, Tom Sawyer....
As an academic librarian, no challenges at all. We did a huge banned books week display.

[Cyndi]

Tirzah wrote: "Amy wrote: "I don't think libraries will ever completely die out because I don't think eBooks will 100% take over printed books. Especially children's books. It would require everyone to have a col..."

Libraries are, by their very nature, going to continue to provide books in a variety of formats. There will always be paper and print in addition to digital media.
I have a Nook and while I do like it, there are times when paper is just a better option. One is weight, paperbacks generally weigh less than the Nook. Some are slighly smaller and fit in my purse better.
Non fiction and magazines just are easier to read in print. It is hard to clip stuff in digital form. I do not want my electronics anywhere near the kitchen, other than on the table when I am reading. It is irritating to have to continue to scroll or refresh the screen for a recipe or a pattern.
I personally find the cost of an e-book outrageous given that it is in digital format. Anymore just to print the book they have to digitize it and I would think that it would be slighly less. Textbooks are a very good case in point.
I have been fortunate to discover some very good authors that use WordPress.com and I love the fact that they are either free or cost much less than mainstream authors. I do hope that others find and read these authors so that they will continue to produce good reads. And yes, there is quite abit of garbage out there. My biggest gripe is the poor proofreading and typos.
I believe libraries are here to stay in communities that place a value on reading and education. It must be very hard to live in a city that doesn't have either a library or a book store.

[Cyndi]

Michielle wrote: "I don't think libraries will go away because of ereaders. There is more of a danger regarding funding for the library system than technology. Many of the libraries I have been to also have the tech..."

I have to agree, the biggest danger facing libraries right now is funding. I sincerely hope that the Good Reads crowd checks out their local Friends of the Libary associations and get involved. These people do wonders in supporting local libraries and often are the difference in providing programs and new materials.

[get stuffed]

For libraries to perish all it will take is for Starbucks to provide ereaders instead of free newspapers and magazines. Or some similar initiative. Of course this assumes people can afford Starbucks!

I could think of 50 ways that commerce could seriously threaten libraries. Yes libraries are more than just places to borrow books but I think (and it is only my opinion) that the 'idea' of libraries is changing. An iPhone is 'cool', a library? Less so.

The stone age didn't stop because they ran out of stones.

Changing focus slightly....

There is a lot of support in this thread for libraries and that may be because the contributers live in America (most online forums have a large population of Americans). In countries I've lived in or visited (say around 80) the library is not as revered or is an alien concept.
So - moving forward on 'libraries'...
a) many countries are 'remote from the sources of production' (like Sweden) but are well connected to the web. They are heavy users of on-line services
b)a lot of countries have never had libraries (maybe religious based ones but not general lending libraries) - they will go straight from no-books to e-book and miss out the middle part
c) Many (most?) countries do not have the sense of community that I've seen in rural America. So communal services are either weak or non-existant.
d) Libraries are expensive buildings to maintain and to run. There must be a break-even number of lends where the service would be continued/ discontinued. If that number is breached then (I would imagine) there would be little support for the library by the people who provide the funds.

But there is a serious side to all of this...if lady librarians disappear who will literate boys have to fantasize about?

[Jenn]

Book lovers are book lovers. Regardless of format.