Editorial: Library turns a new leaf

Enjoying a book without having an actual book is not a new phenomenon.

Audio books have been around for a long time (remember they used to come on cassette) - in fact they've been available in some form or other since the 1930s.

But it wasn't until the 1980s that retailers began to display them on the bookshelves.

Even then, their popularity would seem to be restricted to the visually impaired and the long-distance commuter.

I tried an audiobook from the library recently, the paperback version was checked out. Perhaps my attention span isn't quite what it could be, but I struggled to concentrate on the story, despite the lovely vocalisation by a former Law & Order actress.

For myself, and many, I imagine, there's no substitute for the tangible collection of paper and card that makes up a traditional book.

But is that about to be put to the test?

Rotorua's library is set to launch its e-book (electronic book) collection - 800 titles you can download at home on to your personal device (eg e-book reader, tablet etc).

Living in a city the size of Rotorua, it's hardly a hardship to travel in to the city library, but the ease of downloading a book without leaving the house could be tempting.

I'll certainly give it a go.

But I can't imagine the experience will replace that of reading a regular non-e book.

Such is the nature of electronic devices that instead of enjoying a leisurely read I'm likely to be distracted by music, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, game apps, the entire internet, you get the gist.

This probably says a lot more about me than e-books per se, but it must be said I have no problem getting lost in a good book for several hours.

It's great to see our library adapt to the digital age with this new collection, and I look forward to seeing it succeed and grow.

But we old fuddy duddies may take a little while to get on board the e-book train.

What do you think?

Email: editor@dailypost.co.nz, text DP then your message to 021 241 4568, or write to editor, PO Box 1442, Rotorua.