From the quote, "Since everything is on the Internet, I don't need books...right?" unknown author, I believe that this quote can not apply to everyone. I personally dislike been in a computer 24/7, especially if it has to do with reading. To begin, it is bad for your eye sights and after a while, it may be tarrying. Secondly, not everyone has Internet access. For example, Internet access may not be available in third world countries or even rural areas. From experience, when I went to Mexico, where my family lived, been able to use a computer was very difficult do to the fact that the Internet connection was very weak. That leads to another factor, Internet connection. When I read, I do not like to be disturbed but what if the connection fails and closes out your book. The advantage of having a hard copy book is that you can mark the text or even use sticky notes to mark where you left of or for taking notes. Today from advance technology, it has come to our advantage of been able to access internet as one travels. Though, how can one focus on a reading when there are other distracting features in a laptop or I-Pad. Yes, internet has advance to a fascinating tool that has come in handy to many, though, when it comes to reading books, there is nothing better than a hard copy. Guess something’s just won’t be able to be replaced by technology. Or maybe for some people, it is easy do to the accessibility but for some, will stick to hard copy books.
Good post, Bianca! You raised some very valid points about the Internet and books. I have to admit that I don’t do a lot of reading on the Internet—I’m often printing things off if it’s long or detailed. I use the Internet primarily for entertainment—games, participating on forums, or looking up simple bits of information such as knitting or sewing patterns, a recipe for Thai Curry Chicken, or the Casey Anthony verdict. Or I log on in order to find quick information or facts such as phone numbers, addresses and directions, call number of specific books, and so on.
ReplyDeleteI have a strong love for actual books and going to the library is a real treat for me. That said, I would personally hate to lose the Internet because it is SO useful and easy to use. It’s a matter of knowing which format is more appropriate and/or useful for your information needs-- are you looking up a fact, like a date or the time a movie will start at your local theater? Or are you researching a topic for a term paper? It wouldn't make sense to get in your car and drive down to the library in order to look at a printed newspaper for the day's movie show times, and it wouldn't be smart to only look on the Internet for information about the Media's Treatment of the Vietnam War for a research paper.
Tina M. Moser, MLIS
Access Services Librarian
Health Sciences Library, Anschutz Medical Campus