Libraries in the 21st Century

[Sisters In Crime]

When Edison first invented his phonograph, there were articles in various periodicals that the book public libraries would be a thing of the past.

Books and libraries are still with us, though now the printed word is available in electronic form and in audio books on tape, CD and MP3...and who knows what devices in the future.

The public has mostly turned their backs on e-books. I surely don't want to read a mystery on my computer screen or some other electronic instrument. On the other hand, I think publishers could sell travel guides, reference books and those expensive textbooks in the less expensive electronic form.) Books are so portable and useful. If you drop one on the floor, no sensitive electronic parts will be damaged.

Audio books continue to grow in popularity. From my observations only, it seems that most of the listeners are book readers who use these as a substitute when a book is not a good idea as in driving, walking, doing handicrafts, etc.

Today your public library is apt to be open 24/7. Think of a book you want in the middle of the night? Go to your library's web site to see if it's available. Then you can reserve it. Your library doesn't own the book (video, CD, DVD) that you want? Many libraries let you place your own interlibrary loan on line. You can reserve the book from another library, which will send the volume to you at your local library.

There are many mystery series and many people want to read them in order. Your library has books one, two, four and six of a seven book series. Go on line at your library's web site and send the requests for the titles you want. If your library doesn't have this capability, you can always call or go into your library when it is open. You know, the "old fashioned" way.

With your library card number you can access various subscription databases, including sources like Ebsco and others with full text periodical articles. The Library is closed and you need an article printed in a major magazine from three years ago. Again, your library web site is the place to go.

As the 2000 year old librarian, I remember stone tablets, papyrus, hand illuminated manuscripts, sending for interlibrary loan by smoke signals and carrier pigeons, etc. Gutenberg caused a revolution with his movable print. Public libraries rather than subscription or private libraries took a few centuries to come to fruition, but made print available to everyone.

Today libraries and librarians do their best to guarantee access to computers and other inventions to all people and trying to eliminate the "digital divide" in their communities. These computers are available for card holders as well as travelers and other visitors..

There are more libraries in this country than MacDonald's and more library cards than MasterCards. The public library is the best bargain in the country and offers more substantial "nourishment" than a Big Mac.

Support your library and read mysteries. Life is good.

Doris Ann Norris, Library Liaison for Sisters in Crime

[Pepper Smith]

Sigh. I really do not want to come off as confrontational, because I'm not trying to be. However, I read both print and ebooks, and am aware that the ebook industry is a growing concern, enough so that many of the big print publishers are making their lists available in ebook format as well as print. A growing number of libraries are also instituting programs in which ebooks are loaned out, just as print books are. The latest figures I saw indicated that ebook sales have increased 13% over the past year. While that might not seem like much, for a part of the industry that's really only been around for about 15-20 years, that's nothing to sneeze at. Plus, there's a whole generation of children who are being educated primarily via computer screen, some of whom view a book as real only if they can read it on the computer. And it's not just kids who will adopt the new. My 66 year old father totes around a few bestsellers nestled in the memory card of his Palm Pilot.

I do not believe ebooks will ever replace print books, any more than phonographs or today's audio books have replaced print, but I do believe that there is room for varying tastes within the reading public. As e-readers get easier to use and cheaper to buy, that public that 'turned its back' on ebooks may try them again.

Don't get me wrong--I have a library card and support my local library. I just ask that you don't diss those of us who are open to reading in formats that you may not personally care for.