As a librarian it pains me to think that the end is near...well for the physical, made from paper books anyway. I love the feel, smell and texture of a book. I love turning the pages, reading and rereading the back cover, and looking at the picture on the front cover. However, is it a very real possibility. In the 8 years that I have been a librarian I have seen Non-fiction books, that used to be the staple of every library, fall to the computer database and , God forbid, Google. I have seen newspaper circulation drop significantly because people can get it on the website. Rather than flee from the ever changing technology, I have chosen to embrace it. I have cut my Non-fiction collection in half and all but eliminated the Reference collection. I have purchased the online databases instead of books. I still get newspapers, but that is more for the staff that refuse to read online. And I have focused and spent a lot of money on the Fiction collection. Not because I was told to by the state, but because that is what students wanted to read. I even purchased graphic novels, manga and comics. I may have to rethink this approach in the near future.
In the last two years, Amazon has reported that its number one selling item has been the Kindle. What is that? It's an eReader. In just minutes you can order, download and start reading books. Earlier this year, Barnes and Noble launched it's version of the Kindle, the NOOK. Both of these new technologies use an eInk screen that prevents eyestrain from your typical computer (backlit) screen. And of course there is the Apple iPad. It is so much more than an eReader, but it does have that capability. Just announced last week, Barnes and Noble announced the new NOOKcolor. It is a full color, touch screen eReader that you can download interactive children's books, graphic novels and browse the Internet. It is not quite as sophisticated as the iPad, but it is pretty cool either way. It seems like every few days I hear about a new eReader. Sony has one, Border's has a Kobo, and Sprint is coming out with one. This is obviously the wave of the future. So do I, as a librarian, buy in to all the hype? Do I devote some my library budget to these new fangled devices? You bet!
Many universities are moving to eReaders for textbooks. Northwest Missouri State University was testing this very option a couple years ago with the Sony eReader. One of the biggest draw for NWMSU was the cost. The eReaders themselves were under $200, but the books are much cheaper. For a bestselling novel, eBooks are usually right around $9.99. The hardback version can be as much as $25. Can you imagine the difference in a $100 textbook? That alone was a selling point for me. Now all I need to do is sell my principal…..
On a personal note, I have asked my husband for the NOOK for Christmas. I researched for a couple weeks both the NOOK and the Kindle and decided that the NOOK was a better fit for me. I liked the ability to lend books to my friends (assuming they have a NOOK). Public libraries are moving to a lending eBook system and most of them work with NOOK. As of now, none work with Kindle. I also liked that the NOOK can use several different file formats and the Kindle can only use one that is pretty much exclusive to Amazon. Right now, I am getting to the point where I don’t want to wait until Christmas. I really want it now. I’ve even started “buying” books on my Barnes and Noble account so I can read them when I get it. One feature that is really cool for both the NOOK and Kindle is you can set up an account and read your books on your phone or computer. Technically I can read the books now, but reading on my phone or computer doesn’t really appeal to me. Someday it may….
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