As usual yesterday (Saturday) was my day to visit my local library. I had to return two books and needed an updated book on resume writing. I am writing a resume for a web designer and needed ideas on what one should look like. The web designer has been self employed for over 20 years and honestly I have no idea how to write a resume for someone who really does not need one. He is trying to get on a local board and was asked for his resume.
The library parking lot was packed. I got one of only two spaces left. I thought something may be going on as I had never seen the lot this full. Was there a book sale I was unaware of? Did the library host an author lecture? What was going on that would explain a packed house?
The answer was clear as I walked in; there were excited children running around and frantic parents trying to round them up. Apparently I had just missed the Children’s Story Hour. Each Saturday the library hosts a reading in the children’s section. The library offers this as a way to instill a love of books in young kids. It would seem this works judging by the attendance and the scene of children leaving the library with stacks of books in their hands. The library allows children to borrow up to ten picture books at a time and from what I saw, most of the children left with the allowable number of books. It made me smile as eager eager children chatted about going home to read. As I stood and watched a question occurred to me, could an e-readers generate this much excitement in a child?
This week in the news the buzz about libraries going digital is a hot topic. Right now libraries across the country are digitalizing their reference section. This is something I have talked about in a previous post, yet the subject came up again as some news articles are suggesting that soon libraries may be digitalizing more than just research material. As more and more people are using e-readers libraries may start to offer e-books rather than print books. This will save money and space, at least according to what I read this week. Once again the question comes up “will e-books replace print books?” I say NO! Not as long as there are children eager to attend story hour and then hunt for books to take home and parents who encourage this. The love of print books start at an early age, and even as we move into the digital age today’s children are still taught to love the printed word.
The View From Sari's World 
Great post Sari. Brings a lot of hope to those of us that do not want print books to go away.
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I love e-books but I do think children's books should stay print. You are not going to get the same effect on a reader as the colorful pages that they can turn, etc.I don't think print books will ever be totally gone. At least I hope not.Reading,Reading&Life
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Some libraries are loaning Kindles I read somewhere. Sadly, little by little print materials are going away.
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Thanks Ladies for your thoughts. Senorga I am with you. I sure hope print books are here to stay. Diane, I am not sure what to think about libraries loaning Kindles. At least this may get new readers who may want to read on an e-reader for the fun of it.
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I think libraries should loan kindles– I'd like to try one for a week before I bought one. Also, some folks with failing eyesight who can't afford a kindle might really benefit from a loaner. Libraries loan movies, cds ect they may as well loan ebooks– in 'addition to' print books not 'instead of'.Storytimes are so good for little kids– some libraries even offer lapsit storytimes for the 0-2 yr olds. So much stimulation towards attaining language and pre-literacy skills in picture books– don't think it would be quite the same with an ebook. But I do have a bloggy friend who can hardly get the kindle away from her 7 yr old bookworm.
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I meant to mention audiobooks– libraries have loaned those for years– for kids and adults– didn't seem to impact print books– maybe ebooks won't either.
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