All I Want for Christmas Are Habitual Readers

Last year, the day after Christmas people began bringing their new e-book readers (i.e. Kindle, Nook Sony, etc) to the library and began asking if the library had e-books they could borrow and read with their new e-reader.

While the library has some e-books, it can’t meet the growing demands of its readers.  Everyone seems to want an e-reader, especially since e-readers have been incorporated into tablet computers. 

This demand for e-books at the library can’t be met because many publishers refuse to sell e-books to public libraries.  Publishers fear that selling to public libraries will lead to acts of electronic thievery. Just last week a major publisher announced it would no longer sell e-book editions of new books for public library distribution due to security concerns.

I guess they believe the old adage that says the best way to make someone want something is to tell them they can’t have it.

But I am not sure if this really works.  Being told I could no longer eat turnips, has never compelled me to eat more turnips.

I am concerned that making it difficult to get e-books will further discourage people who are reluctant to read.

E-books present an exceptional opportunity to encourage reluctant readers to become habitual readers. With e-books reading is timely, trendy and cool.  The bookworm is an image of the past.

However the potential for the e-book to change a person’s interest in reading will only be realized if people can easily get e-books to read.

In addition to more habitual readers, this Christmas I want book publishers to realize they have more to gain than lose by making e-books easily available to public libraries and readers of all interest levels.