Electronic Books and the Future of Libraries A version of this article appeared in the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle - March 22, 2000 Like it or not, bibliophiles, electronic books are coming and you better get ready. Stephen King has caused quite a stir with his decision to publish his latest book only in electronic format – no paper copies are being sold! If you ask a librarian, he or she could tell you that the transition from print to electronic publishing actually has been underway for quite some time. Some scientific journals have been publishing exclusively in electronic form for many years, and most libraries now acquire and provide access to electronic versions of journals, newspapers, encyclopedias and other reference materials. So adding electronic books to our service is no big deal. It is just a matter of how and when. Those questions will be partially answered by a project that will field-test several electronic book readers in local school, college and public libraries. Funded with a federal Library Services and Technology Act grant administered by the Monroe County Library System, the Rochester Regional Library Council and the Monroe BOCES 2 School Library System, the project will allow us to obtain users’ reactions and lay the groundwork for libraries to understand the new technology. More importantly, it will help us determine how electronic books will be integrated into the services we provide to our users. Watch for these e-books to appear in selected libraries in the coming months. Those who speculate that with the Internet, and now the electronic book, there will be no need for libraries anymore are dead wrong! The rise of the Internet did not result in the demise of libraries. On the contrary, according to a recent study more than 73 percent of New Yorkers use their libraries, and that use is growing. Communities now depend on their libraries to offer high speed Internet access, training and other related electronic services as well as access to high-priced full text periodical journals and reference sources. Library Internet computer workstations are jammed with students, business people, seniors and others who need access. If you don’t believe it, just stop by your library and see for yourself. Or if you wish to see what electronic services the library is offering, check us out online at http://www.rochester.lib.ny.us/. In the same way, the shift to electronic book publishing will not make libraries obsolete. Rather, libraries will begin developing license agreements with publishers to enable our patrons to "borrow" a book electronically. Simply put, not everyone will be able to (or want to) buy all the books they need to meet all their needs – whether those books are in print or electronic format. And you can count on the fact that most newly published electronic books will not be "free." Libraries will do what we have always done - acquire materials (or provide access to materials) that can be shared by the entire community. In fact, discussions are now underway with a company that would allow Monroe County library patrons and college students throughout New York State to search their library’s electronic catalog and have a choice of selecting a print or electronic version of a book title. As portable e-book readers improve in quality in the years ahead, libraries may loan them out as well. Libraries in the Rochester region are embracing, rather than fearing this new technology. There will be continued strong demand for our traditional services such as reference and information services; story hours and activities for children; programming for seniors; computer access and instruction; hosting public forums on community issues; literacy assistance; support of formal educational efforts and access to other materials such as books on tape, CDs, videos and, of course, good old printed books. These are exciting times for libraries and for the entire profession. Libraries are providing greater access to more information worldwide than ever before. Whether your quest for information requires access to print or electronic resources or whether you want to curl up with a hard copy or electronic version of a good mystery novel – your library will be there for you! Richard Panz, Director Kathleen Miller, Executive Director | Central Library Home | General Information | LIBRAWeb | Central Library of Rochester and Monroe
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