Reading - the future

Judging by the vast number of people who thronged the recently concluded International Book Exhibition at the BMICH, Colombo, the reading habit is very much alive in the country. A very large number of books in all three languages were available for sale at hundreds of stalls.

This is a very encouraging sign, amidst claims that the reading habit is declining in Sri Lanka, which has a very high literacy rate compared even with the developed world. Universal education, virtually from the cradle to the grave, has made this possible. There is hardly anyone who cannot read a newspaper in his or her vernacular language.

However, the success of the book exhibition by itself does not mean that all is well in the reading department. This is the age of the Internet, smartphones, television/DVD, games consoles, MP3 et al. One is assailed 24/7 by the free flow of electronically transmitted information. This is especially applicable to the tech-savvy younger generation that has virtually grown up with the Internet. Yes, it is hard to imagine now, but the Internet is only around 15 years old. Television, at least in Sri Lanka, is only 15 years older. Thus we have a generation that has been exposed mainly to these devices and streams of information.

It is this generation that is fast distancing itself from books and even newspapers - the reading habit. Interactivity is the name of the game for this generation. They want to interact with the devices they use. The Internet is one such medium, where you can interact real-time with websites and other users of the Web. A video game is far more immersive than a book for this generation. It seems that most of today's youth read only textbooks, which they have to study for the examinations in any case.

But if you ponder at length, is there anything more interactive than a book ? It's all in the mind with a good book, as you try to imagine what is happening, in your mind's eye. This is a much better experience than either Television or the Internet. Unfortunately, there is a generation that seemingly cannot appreciate this fact.

It is time for us to cultivate the reading habit on a bigger scale. This should obviously begin at home, where parents should encourage children to read good books. They should buy good books in English and Sinhala/Tamil for their children. They can set an example by reading a book or two themselves. Families can even experiment with a TV-free day, where everyone is encouraged to engage in other productive tasks such as reading a book or a newspaper. The next step is the school.

Teachers should recommend a good selection of books for their students at all levels. The reading habit must be popularized among the students from Year One itself.

This brings us to the importance of libraries. They are repositories of knowledge, vast banks of words in row upon row of books. Unfortunately, the present sorry state of most school libraries - even those in the leading schools of Colombo - does not attract students. Some libraries have not received new books in ages and the existing books simply gather dust on the shelves. No one wants to borrow or read them. The same generally applies to municipal libraries all over the country. Some of them are housed in dilapidated buildings with little or no ventilation and light.

This is indeed a pathetic situation, given the high literacy rate. The authorities must find ways and means of improving libraries and adding new books on a regular basis. Making libraries more comfortable - and conducive to reading - is also essential. The lack of qualified librarians is another problem that the authorities should address. Our libraries must also be kept up to date with the latest technology such as electronic barcoding and CD/DVD-ROM facilities.

But will a day come eventually when libraries are entirely digital ? Printed books have been with and around us for over 500 years, from Gutenberg's First Bible. Man's best discoveries have been announced in books, the greatest literary minds let their creativity flow through books and the greatest Statesmen have revealed their secrets and strategies through books. But why did I use the term 'printed books' ?

The answer is partly environmental, partly technological. Books use paper - dead trees. A lot of them. This is so out of sync with today's environmental concerns, that a lot of book and newspaper publishers already use recycled paper as much as possible. But there is a limit to recycling as well.

The other reason is the rapid evolution of electronics to the point where books no longer need to be 'printed' on paper. Thousands of newspapers published around the world are available at the click of a mouse to readers everywhere. There are thousands of digitized books on the Net as well.

They are mostly free, unlike physical books. Several traditional libraries and Internet companies are working to put their entire contents online, which would have been unthinkable just 15 years ago.

The other reason is the rise of the E-Reader. The best example is the Amazon Kindle, closely followed by Sony's E-Reader. The Kindle, which will be available to Sri Lankans shortly (on order), has an E-INK black and white display that looks like paper. It weighs next to nothing and holds 1,500 books. Even a moderate-sized library in Sri Lanka does not have 1,500 books. There's no wait for delivery and E-books are almost always cheaper than their paper equivalent.

More and more are switching to Kindles and similar devices - Amazon's Kindle books can also be read on the Apple iPhone and the iPod Touch.

Next year will definitely be a decisive year for the E-reader market, as Barnes and Noble, iRex, Plastic Logic and several other companies are planning to enter the fray. The biggest boost could come from Apple, maker of the iconic iPhone, which is said to be planning a full colour touchscreen tablet computer that could be just the ticket for books, newspapers and magazines.

The problem with E-Readers right now is the cost. Amazon's Kindle international version costs US$ 279 (Around Rs.29,000) without taxes and the Sony costs US$ 200 (Rs.21,000 approx). This is beyond the wallets of most people. But as more manufacturers and content providers join in the fray, economies of scale will come into the picture and hopefully bring prices down to around US$ 100, which is mass-market level for any electronic product.

Many analysts are confident that E-Readers could revive a dying print and publishing industry hit by declining sales and advertising. Newspapers and magazines, even prestigious publications, are folding up around the world. Some are moving entirely online or to intermediate digital platforms such as Zinio. They are looking for a solution that could maximize revenue and reach while attracting the younger generation. If the current success of the Kindle is any indication, a lower price, combined with a colour touchscreen, could clinch the deal.

Apple's tablet will, of course, be more expensive but it is likely to be a multi-tasker that will also do E-books. If that, or any other device, helps to attract more readers, the publishing industry will benefit immensely.

This is the future whether we like it or not. Tomorrow's generation will be even more familiar with E-Readers, Netbooks, tablets and similar devices. They could supplement or even replace traditional books one day.

Governments must help popularize these devices by granting tax and duty waivers if they aim to popularize the reading habit among a techno-centric young generation. Ten years hence, printed books will still be around but electronic reading will have reached the mainstream. The printed word will go on, albeit in another form. But one thing will remain constant - the fact that knowledge is power.