We hear it everywhere. Books are disappearing; the digital era is here; we don’t need books any more; print is old-fashioned. In Texas, the world’s first ‘bookless’ library is set to open. They will rent out e-readers and provide e-books for anyone who cares to stare at a screen instead of flipping through the pages of a physical, printed book. You’ll hear that this is the future – digital books. But is this true? Could we really be moving towards an age where printed books are antiques? Many people don’t think so.
Sean McHugh admits in his article that he’s hopelessly addicted to books. He might not even end up reading all the books he buys – it’s just enough to buy them. There’s something special about libraries and bookstores, he explains. Sure, the Internet makes research easier. But in many ways, it can’t match up to the authority that a printed book holds. A book, once it has been published, won’t change. It will be around for years. The internet is constantly changing as people update and add information. E-books aren’t the future. They’re a new medium, certainly. They’re a new way to experience books. However, we will always have printed books. The future is already here.