We always find it hard to imagine how our parents and especially grandparents are getting used to to the fast changing technology. But looking around we always find surprising stories where older generation is not only accepting the changes but also becoming essential part of it. They are able to identify themselves with it and helping each other to get used to it.
In the Young Witness, A 24/7 future for library article explains how South West Regional Library has taken a step forward for their members to have online access to about 500 titles for free. Not only this, they are also providing training and holding sessions to help them learn how to actually download e-audio books onto their I-pods and enjoy the leisure of reading(listening in this case) anywhere and anytime. They have been extra helpful to older people who are not so familiar with technology and patiently walking them through the digital library.
But according to Regional library manager, Janice Ottey, they will still be buying original hard copies of books for a long time. They are only making it digital for easier and 24X7 access for members.
This is only example such example. Digitization of books has yet to come long way, especially by keeping in view the older generation who read the most. It becomes a challenge to make them unanxious first with computers and then the comfort and ease underlying e-book, both in soft and audio version.
Another article titled Old people love Kindle on Marginal Revolution, further supports the fact we discussed above. According to the survey, older people love Kindle, an e-book reader, since it over rides their inabilities, associated with age like visiting libraries and carrying around books. They are able to read at their own convenience. Moreover various display settings enable people with vision impairments to read easily and continue their favorite hobby.
Hence this is positive indication for all online publishers and e-book reader manufacturers alike. Every age group is taking advantage of new book formats and hence this holds a great business potential as well in future.
References:
Anonymous (October 8, 2012). A 24X7 future for library. The Young Witness. Retrieved from http://www.youngwitness.com.au/story/382481/a-247-future-for-library/?src=rss
Tyler Cowen (April 30, 2009). Old people love Kindle. Marginal Revolution. Retrieved from
http://marginalrevolution.com/marginalrevolution/2009/04/old-people-love-kindle
Hi Monica,
ReplyDeleteThis is very interesting to know that South West Regional Library is taking a step forward in assisting the older generation in getting comfortable with fast changing technology. I think as parents and grand-parents, they have no choice but to hop on board this train of technology. Since the younger generation is already on board and travelling comfortably; the older generation has to keep pace. It is even better to know that institutions are providing training and on-hand sessions to make the transition less painful.
The following link, “Ebooks: winners in the generation game”, by Anna Baddeley of The Observer, comments on the growth of e-reading among older age groups. Similar to your articles, it highlights the fact that “e-reading is not just popular with traditional early adopters; their parents are getting in on the act too”. A survey done last year indicated that over-55s were more likely to own an e-reader than 18-24 year-olds. One reason for this would be that they are also in a better financial position to do so; and then there is the fact that the option to adjust text size and contrast is readily available. The article also pointed out that e-readers are light, which is handy for arthritis suffers, especially those with poor vision (large-print hardbacks weigh a ton).
Regarding technology, the e-reader has made it a plus in the hands of the older generation. It is one that they are grasping with both hands. And l agree with your conclusion,” every age group is indeed taking advantage of the new book formats, which holds great future business potentials”. The younger generation are into it because it is “technological” and the older generation because it makes reading so much more pleasurable.