Released in 2007, the Amazon Kindle and other e-readers unleashed a decade long debate: Would they wipe out physical books?
Since then, digital media has only advanced and increased. People no longer need five different devices to text, play music, read, videogame or take pictures. A phone can do it all.
Despite digital advancements, Pew Research discovered that from 2016 to 2019, e-book usage dropped from 28% to 25%. This year, however, may change those statistics.
The pandemic of 2020 seems to have solidified the existence of e-books as many libraries closed their doors for a time. And without an end, COVID-19 has only continued the use of e-books among many readers.
“People are trying to be really careful about what they come into contact with, and an e-book has no germs attached,” said Marina Rose, the Adult Services Librarian at the Caldwell Public Library.
The Coeur d’Alene Public Library has seen a climb in digital materials over the years and even more of a climb as people spend more time at home. Tyler Mclane, a librarian at the Coeur d’Alene Public Library believes they will continue to see growth.
“You can read an e-book on your phone or computer; you don’t need to have an actual Kindle device,” Mclane said. “And the screens improve in quality each year.”
Far south of Coeur d’Alene, a different e-book story unfolded in Rupert, Idaho. Shambry Emero, the Library Director of the Rupert’s DeMary Memorial Library, saw a drop in e-book usage. Although they advertised and promoted their online storage, patrons passed it by.
“I think it’s screen fatigue,” she said. “People are tired of looking at devices.”
Other libraries also reported preferability with turning pages. As the Gooding Public Library opened their doors again for curbside services, many phone calls expressed need for a physical book.
When the Hailey Public Library reopened their doors for browsing, Kristin Fletcher, the Programs and Engagement Coordinator, said it felt like a line went out the door as people came just to enter the library.
With younger generations growing up on smart phones and currently zooming into school, screen time never seems to end. Mclane noted that they haven’t seen as much growth in online material with the youth as they have with adults.
“Having an offline thing in front of them is really popular,” Mclane said.
Jennifer Hills, the Adult Services Department Head at the Twin Falls Public Library, mentioned not everything is available as an e-book. Somethings like picture books and cookbooks read better on paper.
Meryl Halls, the managing director of the Booksellers’ Association in the U.K., told CNBC why, of all the complex reasons, people prefer print to a screen.
“I think… it’s harder to have an emotional relationship with what you’re reading if it’s on an e-reader,” she said.
Stephanie Jewett, the Library Director at Fairfield’s Camas County Library, noted many people find physical books more convenient. Encased in beautiful covers, people enjoy the feel and smell of paper.
While they require a charger and occasional internet connection, Jewett explained e-books do have some perks over paper.
“You can’t beat e-books when you’re travelling or want something new to read in the middle of the night,” Jewett said.
But e-books are not the only form of non-paper books. From 2016 to 2019, Pew Research also observed an increased use of audio books. In 3 years, their listening rate rose from 14% to 20%.
Some librarians have found themselves joining the growing trend. This year, Rose found herself and co-workers listening to more audio books, and Jewett almost always has one playing as she cleans or does yard work.
Despite all digital growth, Pew Research reported that the 65% of people reading printed books has remained constant overall.
“The e-resource numbers have certainly gone up, but they don’t compensate for the people checking out real books,” Fletcher said.
Mclane concurred. He read a study that indicated readers wanting to read 10 books in a year would not read all 10 on an e-reader over all 10 as physical books. Instead, they’d read their 10 physical books and read more with their e-reader.
“When I got my Kindle several years ago, I just ended up reading more,” Mclane said.
But this year, most libraries haven’t come close to reaching the same physical checkouts as last year. Some librarians speculate people have purchased more books this year, decreasing the need to borrow.
Publishers weekly would agree.
They reported a 2.8% increase in unit sales of print books during the first half of 2020 as compared to 2019. In other words, in the U.S., 313.5 million books sold in the first six months of 2019, whereas 322.1 million sold during the same period in 2020.
While it certainly appears the masses prefer paper, 2020 has also introduced many to the conveniences of digital. Courtney Homer, the Adult Fiction and Children Acquisitions Librarian at Rexburg’s Madison Public Library, believes future years will ebb and flow between the two.
But no matter their form, COVID-19 proved there will always be a need for books.