I love physical books. I love the feel of the page, the heft of the book. I love to run my fingers over the dust jacket and feel the bumps and divots. I love physical books.
And, I am not proud of it but there was a time when I was only a fan of physical books. I was, I am ashamed to admit, very anti-ebook.
The reasons aren't hard to imagine.
Tech can be threatening, especially when it is a rival for something that is beloved. I think it was probably overwhelming and scary to imagine something digital taking over something so fundamental, beautiful, and tangible as physical books.
Looking back, I now know this was an overreaction, absurd and alarmist, but it came from a good place.
Ebooks are not a threat to physical books. Will they be one day? Maybe, but I don't see it really. And that is due in large part tot he fact that the ebooks people can't get their ducks in a row.
There are too many devices.
There are too many formats.
Copyright regulations are too outdated.
The idea of leasing vs. buying is a pox that they can't seem to grasp.
Highly illustrated books don't translate well.
Ebooks just can't compete in an all-out scorched earth competition.
That being said, I really love ebooks.
Full disclosure: We are a Kindle family. Every member of my family has one and uses it regularly. The PaperWhite is incomparable tech, Kindle customer service is top of the line, and for all of Amazon's ills, they have got it figured out in terms of ease of purchase, ease of use, and ease of sharing amongst family/account members.
Adding to the Kindle's dominance is the fact that they now own OverDrive, and while the audiobook part of OverDrive has been a glitchy mess lately, the ebook checkout's working with a Kindle is seamless and robust.
So what happened? How did I go from someone who swore I would never own an e-reader to such a fan?
One word: Access.
My disgust with ebooks was visceral, as a defense of the physical book, and it clouded my perception of the true beauty of the ebook.
Vision
Readers with vision concerns can really be served with an ebook. Most libraries can't afford to keep a large print section that parallels the main collection. I know my district doesn't spend anything at all on large print. So if a reader needs it, we have to search for a book on ILL.
But with an ebook, the ability to change the size of the font is instantaneous and highly customizable. It makes reading possible for those with low vision in a way a physical book never could.
You can even change to contrast to white print on black background.
The access this provides for readers with vision concerns is unparalleled, and it is an important factor.
Dyslexia
For many readers with dyslexia, books are a daunting hurdle. However, thanks to the Dyslexie font that comes standard on most e-readers, books are far more accessible. With a click of a button, a reader can switch from Times New Roman to Dyslexie, and I have personally witnessed more than one reader immediately report being able to read better with this change alone.
24/7
With most public libraries (and some school libraries) having access to OverDrive or another digital book platform, the ability to check out and download books 24/7 is now available to anyone with a stable internet connection.
I have had a child who needed a book after the library had closed. I was able to go into OverDrive, find the book, check it out, send it to the device, and have my child reading in under 5 minutes without ever having to leave my house.
Size
When traveling, whether it is to the store or around the world, there is no way to compare carrying an e-reader (whether a dedicated device or an app on a phone or tablet) to carrying a physical book. This makes ease of access simply better. For those with limited mobility or those with limited room in their luggage, ebooks can solve a problem for a lot of people.
So then where's the love? I am forever getting cartoons shared with me that are pro-physical book/anti-ebook, and while I do chuckle, I never re-share them. I never argue or berate people, but it is my show of solidarity with ebooks and the access they provide.
I can see how those who love physical books still feel threatened by ebooks or, at a minimum, don't personally love them. That's understandable. Nobody has to love ebooks.
But nobody shoulddisparagee them either.
I always tell my children, "Whatever floats your boat and doesn't sink someone else's." And, for me, this is an issue of sinking someone else's boat. If a reader needs larger font, a dyslexic compatible font, or ease of access in general, ebooks are often right on the money. And as a person who is passionate about access, in all its forms, this is an issue that strikes close to my heart.
It is hard for me to admit when I am wrong, but on ebooks, as a hater, I was dead wrong.
And that in no was diminishes my love of a physical book. Unfortunately, it also doesn't mean that in my small library I am spending money on ebooks. It just isn't a wise use of resources. But I do look for ways to get my students access (often through a partnership with the public library) and encouraging them to try the format.
This situation is one of equality, access and fairness.
In the battle of physical vs. ebook, it doesn't have to be either/or. Both/and works quite well.
