Since a very early age, my parents had been encouraging me to read books.
As most of the children of the 1990s, of course, I was quite sceptical of the idea and used to constantly remind them that there was this new thing called ‘the internet’ where you would soon be able to find pretty much everything you needed.
What were books good for anyway? As far as I was concerned back then- nothing; they were just devices designed to keep me away from my Playstation One and my PC.
In time, however, I grew to realise that that was, probably, one of the biggest mistakes I had ever made.
I had tried reading a couple of books (other than the ones that I had to read for school) and did not like them at all; it was then when I, rather foolishly, assumed that all books were the same.
Yes, that’s right; I judged all the books by their cover.
Had I not done so, though, I would have never started to read Terry Pratchett (have you seen his books’ covers?!) and would have, consequently, never found out that reading could be quite entertaining and educational.
Since that very day, I had been reading all sorts of books and could, rightfully so, call myself a bookaholic.
Until recently, I had been very content with reading books at home; however, the busier I became, the more I wanted to read books anytime, anywhere.
I then started to get audio books and read books on my PC or laptop; at one point, I even considered buying an e- reader.
(Note to the reader: I shan’t get into the whole paperback vs. e- reader discussion; not today, at least.)
As time went by, however, I started to dread the fact that I could not walk into my local library and borrow an e- book (or an audio book that was not on a CD…) rather than having to buy them all the time.
As I was listening to my daily podcast the other day, however, I found out that the above might soon be a thing of the past.
Without further ado, I present to you the first bookless library :
Designed to look like an Apple store (God knows why…), the library will offer its users not only access to e- books and audio books but will also allow them to borrow e- readers, laptops and even tablets.
Judge Wolff, who is in charge of the project, explains that the idea is quite simple (yet incredibly innovative); people will be able to borrow e- books for up to, say, three weeks. Then, if they do not ‘return’ them to the library, the staff can ‘purge’ them off the users’ laptop/ PC/ tablet/ e- reader.
Judging by the comments on the project that I have read through on various websites, it has, at least for now, been the object of ridicule and unnecessarily acerbic remarks.
Many have said that it was ‘ugly’ and ‘tasteless’; some have even gone as far as saying that it ‘would slaughter the spirit of books, as well knew them’.
Well that’s exactly the point, is it not?
As much as we don’t want to accept it, times and trends are changing; and fast.
As homo sapiens sapiens, we are supposed to adapt and survive; remember, that’s what we do.
In today’s fast paced world, the new generation spends more than 70% of their time on their laptop/ tablet/ PC.
What better way of getting them to read than introducing e- books that can be read on those…?
Furthermore, what better way of inducing people in reading those by making them more affordable and more easily accessible…?
Don’t get be wrong; I like my paperbacks and if I really like a book, I will always buy the hard copy for my personal library.
But why not sample the book first?
The world is becoming more and more digitized by the day; we might as well make some use of that.
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