Jonah S., 6th Grade Student at Krieger Schechter Day School of Chizuk Amuno Congregation
Are you aware of the growing obsession over e-books, and how it may be affecting libraries and bookstores around the world? According to a 2017 article in the New York Times, 45 bookstores in Wisconsin alone closed over the course of one week. This trend is not exclusive to the United States. British Broadcasting Corporation News reported that between November 2015 and March 2016, one quarter of the libraries in the United Kingdom closed. So, the question is: why are e-books so popular?
It seems that e-books would attract mostly younger readers due to their technological aspect. However, adolescents may not be the only ones that support e-books. “I do not think adults are against e-books, at least the majority of them,” said Lev E., a 6th grade student at Krieger Schechter Day School. Both younger and older readers are drawn to e-books, as all generations can enjoy the benefits of e-books, including games, tests and puzzles, according to Sam B., a 6th grade student at KSDS.
Although this craze has been growing rapidly in recent years, some readers still prefer to hold a book in their hands. “As far as personal preference, I would rather hold a paper copy than a reading tablet,” said Kelly Platzke, a KSDS middle school English teacher. Also, people who are still uncomfortable with electronics may prefer paper copies.
In communities with a smaller presence of libraries and bookstores, e-books can fill that void. “e-books are certainly an advantage in communities that don’t have strong public libraries or bookstores,” said Sonia Kozlovsky, KSDS librarian. Some children and adults in impoverished areas without public libraries are missing out on reading if they do not have e-books.
Bookstores are feeling the impact of the increased interest in e-books. “Books aren’t going away, but bookstores are,” said Matthew Duket, an associate of Book World, a chain of 45 bookstores in the Midwest that closed in 2018.
On April 11, 2018, BBC News reported that over 5,800 book stores closed in the UK in 2017 due to e-commerce. Hastings Entertainment, a bookstore chain, declared bankruptcy and closed all of its stores in one week for the same reason, according to a New York Times article by David Streitfeld.
At these rates, libraries and bookstores will be permanently wiped off the map. Booksellers cannot make a profit without consumer support. e-books will be an empire, and bookstores will be a thing of the past.
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