E-books and libraries covered in this week’s Westender
How apropos – the Westender (a free Vancouver community newspaper) has just published – as their cover story – a piece on the impact of e-books on libraries. They interview a couple of librarians from the Vancouver Public Library, who rightly emphasize that (1) the library has to be wary of the digital divide, which has much to do with social class, and (2) a lot of people – especially older patrons – aren’t necessarily tech savvy enough to buy and use an e-reader (or to want to learn the new technology). Definitely worth a read.
True confession: I read the print version, picking it up just now at the supermarket when I saw “Libraries 2.0” on the cover. Normally don’t pick up these freebie papers.
Posted in: Uncategorized, Week 06: eBooks
Everton Walker 5:33 pm on October 14, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Allie,
Very interesting indeed and a must read when one considers the developing issues surrounding this issue. I also find the beyond books tagline to be appropriate. The ebook concept is really taking reading and access to information to a new level. My biggest concern however is to what extent the older generation will buy into the ebook concept.