Introduction:
Many people think of e-books as just another medium of conveying content. To the authorial content that is conveyed comes with several added values. The cumulative effects of these enhancements offer a fundamentally new manner of experiencing content. In the context of libraries, it is becoming increasingly evident that functions like information gathering, harbouring and displaying in physical volumes are decidedly being adapted to the electronic format. Thus,
“while libraries have accommodated themselves to such changes in their traditional profile as the disappearance of physical journals into the digital realm and the shrinking of once-imposing reference collections, the possibility of a sweeping e-book revolution that has been predicted for over a decade presents a basic challenge to the library’s very identity.” (Godwin-Jones 4)
In recent research conducted on e-book usage, it was found that “most of them found that academic users typically search e-books for discrete bits of information, a behaviour summed up by the formula “use rather than read.”” (Staiger)
History of e-books
The earliest and most basic e-book format is the PDF (Portable Docment Format). It is a print-friendly format that shares a few common features with standard word-processing software. The layout is fixed and editing is not possible. It is easy to convert a Word file into PDF format by using the ‘print’ or ‘export’ commands. The next most famous format is the EPUB, which is widely compatible across many devices. Some of the hand features are ‘reflowable’ text, dynamic font size and style. Word files can be saved into EPUB formats. Likewise, programs such as “Adobe’s InDesign, Apple’s Pages, and OpenOffice, have EPUB as a “save-as” or “export” option.” (Brunsell and Horejsi 8)
In recent years diverse array of e-book formats have risen. The major e-book formats as of today include PDF, EPUB, MOBI, KF8, iBook, and others. Though some of these formats are tied into specific devices, they can be easily converted into one another using software programs like Calibre. For example, any of the above formats can be converted into the format compatible with the iPad with a conversion software. Most Android tablets have the capability to read formats used by Kindle, Nook, and Google Play Books. What’s more, these formats can also be read on computers running on conventional Windows or Mac operating systems. For instance, Adobe Digital Editions, which is free to download, allows PCs to read EPUB format. Apple’s own e-book reader iBooks “can display movies, interactive widgets, and movable 3-D objects. When the reading device is held vertically, iBooks has a traditional book appearance. Multimedia extras appear in the horizontal orientation.” (Brunsell and Horejsi 8) The two main advantages of e-books cited by library patrons were “searchability and around-the-clock availability. The most frequently cited disadvantages were difficulty of navigation and loss of ability to perform customary research practices such as perusing and shelf-browsing because of e-books’ lack of physicality.” (Abram 32)
Describe the various devices, past and present, the e-books are read on
The technology behind the design and creation of e-book devices is always undergoing change. Brands such as Nook and Kindle have established themselves as market leaders. Despite their impressive garnering of market share, the market is relatively nascent as the idea of e-book devices if gradually catching on. E-book devices are not competing against conventional PCs and laptops, for the e-books usually read through them are seldom read on computer screens. A prime example are novels and other fiction, which people show little inclination to read off a computer screen. Here, the e-book reading device fills an existing void in the reading preferences of users. Though at this point, it is difficult to predict how indispensible e-books and the devices would become, a few recent research studies point the direction. They suggest that once the general public accepts e-book devices as the norm, then libraries will have to radically alter their infrastructure and operating modes. Yet,
“beyond that there is not much they can do since the future is not susceptible to empirical probing. But the path to such a state of affairs is not direct. Not only are such devices owned by a minority of the population, but in all likelihood e-books would have to be made compatible with a gamut of devices, in other words be rendered independent of particular platforms, before they would present libraries with a feasible channel for provisioning materials.” (Staiger)
Discuss how e-book, newspaper, and magazine reading may become more of an interactive or group activity
Many major newspapers and magazines have also started offering their electronic versions adapted to e-book devices. These electronic versions offer many interactive features that are not possible in traditional publishing. In a clear sign of acknowledgement of the popularity and demand for e-books, Amazon has opened up its Kindle device to library e-books. To elaborate,
“The introduction of the Kindle, the biggest-selling e-reader, opens up library e-books to a wider audience, heightening the fears of publishers that many customers will turn to libraries for reading material. If that happens, e-book buyers could become e-book borrowers – reflecting a profound shift in consumer reading habits…Library e-books are already available on Barnes & Noble’s Nook, the Sony Reader, smartphones, laptops, and other devices, but never on the Kindle, whose users had long complained they were left out.” (Randolph 22)
In 10 years how will we be reading books?
There is little doubt about the forecast that e-books will eventually replace paper books as the dominant medium of publishing. In the decade or so of its existence, the e-book technology has taken big strides toward establishing this dominancy. There are several factors which are fuelling this change in the reading habits of students and consumers. First, with the felling of trees to make paper pulp is no longer sustainable. This threat of environmental catastrophe had first pushed responsible publishers to use recycled and acid-free papers. And gradually they’ve opened up a parallel market for e-books. Second, alongside the rapid rise of telecommunication gadgets in the last twenty years, incorporating e-book reader features into their design has become easier. Also, in anticipation of a future market for dedicated e-book readers, companies like Amazon and Samsung have pioneered Tablet devices. Amazon Kindle comes in a range of models, all of them offering e-book reading functionality. In the future, e-books could be used by different sorts of users, including “the model builder who would Like to see in a 3-D rendering exactly where to put the next piece; the reader of a Balanchine biography, who wishes to see a clip of a ballet performance.” (Randolph 22) Hence, it is fair to claim that in the future, the same groups of users bring served by specialized and generic libraries would adopt using e-books.
Also, while discussing the advantages and disadvantages of e-books often the needs of the visually challenged are not taken into account. But it is the visually challenged who are set to benefit much by using e-books and allied technology. One of the features that is especially important is the adjustability of font size. Another is the option of ‘night’ mode where characters will be printed in white on a black background, providing relief to the eyes. This flexibility and customizability of e-book technology to special needs audiences predicts a bright future for it.
Conclusion:
It is apt to conclude this essay by highlighting some of the unique features of e-books and allied devices. Some of the reasons why e-books are gaining popularity are its bookmarking, annotating and hyper linking capabilities. Students and those on the move appreciate the portability of numerous books in a single device. For scholars, the keyword searching feature is indispensible. E-book readers now offer backlighting feature that facilitates reading in the dark. E-books are essential for running distance learning programs, for online study material is made available round the clock. Some e-book reader software allows users to retrace their reading history. Also, many e-book reading software have links to online dictionaries, which allow readers to find meaning of words without perusing a cumbersome paper dictionary. What’s more, e-book devices make it possible to hear the audio pronunciation of a word- something that is not possible with paper books. These advantages augur well for the future of e-books. (Mackey)
Works Cited
• Abram, Stephen. “Books and E-Books: As Different as Night and Day.” Information Outlook Apr. 2010: 32+.
• Brunsell, Eric, and Martin Horejsi. “The ABCs of E-Books.” The Science Teacher 79.8 (2012): 8.
• Godwin-Jones, Robert. “E-Books and the Tablet PC.” Language, Learning & Technology7.1 (2003): 4.
• “Kindle Connects to Library E-Books.” Library Administrator’s Digest Nov. 2011: 66+.
• Mackey, Margaret. Literacies across Media: Playing the Text. New York: Routledge/Falmer, 2002.
• Randolph, Susan E. “Are E-Books in Your Future?” Information Outlook Feb. 2001: 22.
• Staiger, Jeff. “How E-Books Are Used: A Literature Review of the E-Book Studies Conducted from 2006 to 2011.” Reference & User Services Quarterly 51.4 (2012): 355+.