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| David A. Bell |
Technology has redefined the traditional book and as a result the
traditional library may also be transformed. This is evident by the article, “The Bookless Library”, written by David A. Bell, Professor of History at Princeton University. Professor Bell takes a complete look at the evolution of books and its future consequences. He notes that obstacles such as lack of internet access, not knowing how to download books, and feeling uncomfortable reading on a screen, as opposed to paper, will all disappear within twenty or thirty years. Many people of the older generation prefer the traditional book. And there may be others who feel the same way. Technology brings change; removing them from their comfort zone and being unable to understand how to use it. Technology may also be expensive for many; the unaffordability of internet access and digital reading tools. However with time and education, the majority will be able to overcome these obstacles. As a result, it is evident that eBooks will be a common phenomenon in the near future.
traditional library may also be transformed. This is evident by the article, “The Bookless Library”, written by David A. Bell, Professor of History at Princeton University. Professor Bell takes a complete look at the evolution of books and its future consequences. He notes that obstacles such as lack of internet access, not knowing how to download books, and feeling uncomfortable reading on a screen, as opposed to paper, will all disappear within twenty or thirty years. Many people of the older generation prefer the traditional book. And there may be others who feel the same way. Technology brings change; removing them from their comfort zone and being unable to understand how to use it. Technology may also be expensive for many; the unaffordability of internet access and digital reading tools. However with time and education, the majority will be able to overcome these obstacles. As a result, it is evident that eBooks will be a common phenomenon in the near future.
Change is constant and technology is ever changing. Technology provides new ideas and new ways of doing things. Via Project Gutenberg and Google millions of public-domain book titles are accessible. This is more than what libraries have to offer. By switching to digital for the public domain, library size would be reduced and reclaimed space could be utilized for other activities. Professor Bell also points out that although library staff services would be reduced, the internet now provides a new way of interacting with expertise in various subject matters. He further suggests that libraries must keep up with the changing technology and grasp the advent of the ebook to provide a better service. The role of libraries is changing. In addition, libraries budgets are insufficient to purchase both traditional books and ebooks: libraries now have to make a choice. In keeping up with technology, that choice would be in the direction of ebooks. Hence the future is fast becoming a bookless one.
Reference:
David A. Bell (July 12, 2012). The New Republic. Retreived from
Chris Meadows (July 12, 2012). TeleRead. Retreived from
Ingrid, I would have never of thought we would see a bookless library. I still remember the days looking for books in aisles and aisles of books and getting frustrated. I remember when they brought the electronic catalogue to search where a book related to your subject research is related and frustration takes over. An article published by John D Sutter in CNN Tech . Sutter explains that libraries now compile digital books to fight off the large players in the industry and preserve their literature to library users. Libraries now have “loud rooms” essentially for group discussions versus the hush, hush we heard from librarians. This transformation has caused a digital shift in libraries which is welcomed by the digitally inclined people. The article also states that we will always preserve the archaic major libraries in state as a part of history.
ReplyDeleteReferences:
Sutter John D, (September 04,2009), published in CNN Tech, retrieved from: http://articles.cnn.com/2009-09-04/tech/future.library.technology_1_metropolitan-library-librarians-books?_s=PM:TECH