Books vs. Electronic Resources
Ebooks and audiobooks are a part of our landscape. What does the change in medium mean for appeal factors? If you can't hold a book and feel the physical weight of it in your hands, how does that affect your knowledge of the genre? How about readers being able to change the font, line spacing, and color of text - how does that affect pacing and tone? How about audiobooks? Track length, narrator choice, is there music? For this week, I want you to think about how ebooks and audiobooks affect appeal factors - also think about appeals that are unique to both mediums. Please feel free to use your own experience and that of your (anonymous of course) patrons. I look forward to reading these!
Ebooks and audiobooks have been growing in popularity in the past few years, or at least it feels that way to me. When I listen to podcasts or go to the library, I am now bombarded with advertisements for audible or new ebook apps such as Overdrive or Libby. But are these resources really better?
So what is the benefit to a regular book? For one it is comfortable. Until recently, physical were the only option that most people had to read books. I remember when ebooks and ereaders were first coming out. Since I am only 26, most adults grew up with physical books meaning that they are more comfortable with this format. Additionally, ebooks have the possibility to increase eyestrain since they are on screens. The other advantage that people talk about with using physical books is that they retain information better than if they consume it another way. While I believe that this is true, I think that the people that don't learn well through this method are much less likely to continue reading.
So what are the benefits of ebooks? They are more portable with a patron being able to carry an entire library worth of books on there phone. A patron is able to download them instantly and has access to the library's entire collection as long as they have internet access. The ability to change font and color is extremely useful for people with disabilities that make it hard to read. Though it is possible for the font type, color, and size to change how some people read the book, I have never noticed this to be the case with physical books.
Audiobooks are another electronic option, this time allowing people that struggle with reading or don't have time to read to consume books. I personally use audiobooks the most out of these three types since I spend over an hour commuting to and from work. This allows me to make use of my time that would otherwise be wasted. The downside to audiobooks is that a narrator can make or break it for a patron. There have been several occasions where I stopped reading a book because I did not like how the narrator read the book.
Overall, all of these forms of books are here to stay. Each has its own advantages and it is important to find the ones that work best for you.
Ebooks and audiobooks have been growing in popularity in the past few years, or at least it feels that way to me. When I listen to podcasts or go to the library, I am now bombarded with advertisements for audible or new ebook apps such as Overdrive or Libby. But are these resources really better?
So what is the benefit to a regular book? For one it is comfortable. Until recently, physical were the only option that most people had to read books. I remember when ebooks and ereaders were first coming out. Since I am only 26, most adults grew up with physical books meaning that they are more comfortable with this format. Additionally, ebooks have the possibility to increase eyestrain since they are on screens. The other advantage that people talk about with using physical books is that they retain information better than if they consume it another way. While I believe that this is true, I think that the people that don't learn well through this method are much less likely to continue reading.
So what are the benefits of ebooks? They are more portable with a patron being able to carry an entire library worth of books on there phone. A patron is able to download them instantly and has access to the library's entire collection as long as they have internet access. The ability to change font and color is extremely useful for people with disabilities that make it hard to read. Though it is possible for the font type, color, and size to change how some people read the book, I have never noticed this to be the case with physical books.
Audiobooks are another electronic option, this time allowing people that struggle with reading or don't have time to read to consume books. I personally use audiobooks the most out of these three types since I spend over an hour commuting to and from work. This allows me to make use of my time that would otherwise be wasted. The downside to audiobooks is that a narrator can make or break it for a patron. There have been several occasions where I stopped reading a book because I did not like how the narrator read the book.
Overall, all of these forms of books are here to stay. Each has its own advantages and it is important to find the ones that work best for you.
Those were the benefits I really thought were great; people with disabilities have the option to change fonts, size of fonts, colors, or listen to the stories. It is nice that there seems to be a choice for everyone!
ReplyDeleteEven though I am old school, any new good type of medium to foster reading and relaying imformation to others is a perfect way to meet the needs of the readers. Change is good and we have to be adaptible. The methods used will just keep on being improved.
ReplyDeleteI agree that it's important to find the one that works best for us (and to not judge others for whatever their choice is). It's also super important to learn what the appeal factors of each one is so we can help our patrons find what they are looking for when they come in.
ReplyDeleteAs more of my library's patrons have gained access to smartphones and tablets, we've noticed a steady increase in our OverDrive circulation stats. We don't know the exact demographics of our e-book and digital audiobook users, but we do know that many of our patrons over 60 have asked how to access our digital collection. We encourage staff members to also experiment with OverDrive/Libby so they can help patrons troubleshoot.
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DeleteI'm curious which books narrators you didn't like. Do you happen to remember any? When I first started working for my local library my husband had a longish commute, about 45 minutes (on a good day). I would pick audiobooks for him based on the types of books he liked to read. I never even considered narrators, but that is such a big part of the audiobook experience! I can't recall him ever having to stop a book completely, but I do remember him saying some narrators annoyed him and detracted from the experience.
ReplyDeleteHi Zachary,
ReplyDeleteYou made an important point when you wrote about how ebooks can make reading more accessible for people with special needs. This has to do with how easy they are to customize. As you said, font size can be enlarged for people with vision impairments. There is even a font on Overdrive and Libby that is supposed to help readers with dyslexia.
In another sense, ebooks can help people whose special needs make travel difficult for them. If coming to the library for print books isn't an option, an app like Libby will still let users experience the library from their homes.
You bring up all great points. Full points!
ReplyDeleteGreat points on e-books and audiobooks, especially when using the audiobook during a long commute. I have a tendency of being more traditional as well, enjoying the feel of a book and the experience of reading it. However, as you pointed out, there is something invaluable in having the ability to adjust the screen and enhancing the experience with an e-reading. Overall, I do think technology is wonderful or folks with disabilities, will continue to evolve to assist these individuals gaining access to information literacy.
ReplyDelete