Every year the percentage of electronic books and publications increases in different world markets. For example, nowadays e-books represent 13% and 11% of the US and UK publishing markets respectively (“Global eBook…” 24). Such a trend can be explained by many reasons.
Electronic reading devices are portable and offer large storage place. One gets immediate access to huge libraries of content. E-readers, tablets, and phones are interactive; a person may save the required pages, highlight some crucial points, and turn to them when needed. An enormous amount of content is available on the Internet so that almost any information can be found and put on a person’s device (Li et al. 219).
Apart from that, e-publishing reduces production, transaction, and distribution costs. Bookstores may not even depend on physical devices, as one can store book collections in the cloud services (Faustino 118). E-reading facilitates the educational process and makes people more mobile and independent.
However, reading on electronic devices has some disadvantages. Such devices may be expensive and unaffordable for some people (Li et al. 219). The transition to electronic publishing format may increase the digital divide between the developed and poor countries. It is often difficult to arrange physical libraries as too many devices may be required and maintained. Moreover, there may occur problems with managing copyright issues of e-book publications. Electronic devices may also lead to vision loss. Finally, a traditional book or magazine is often much pleasant to read (Faustino 118).
Overall, reading on electronic devices offers vast opportunities both for the publisher and for readers of all ages. Any adverse impacts of those devices and other related problems concerning devices’ cost and availability should be reasonably managed.
Works Cited
Faustino, Paulo. “Book Industry Business, Concentration, Internet and Social Media of Management and Marketing.” Handbook of Social Media Management: Value Chain and Business Models in Changing Media Markets. Ed. Mike Friedrichsen and Wolfgang Mühl-Benninghaus. New York, NY: Springer Science & Business Media, 2013. 87-123. Print.
Global eBook. A Report on Market Trends and Developments 2014. Web.
Li, Kam Cheong, Fu Lee Wang, Kin Sun Yuen, Simon Cheung, and Reggie Kwan. Engaging Learners Through Emerging Technologies: International Conference on ICT in Teaching and Learning. Berlin: Springer, 2012. Print.