Reading is one of the longest established cultural activities known to man. It hasn’t changed substantially for centuries. There have been advances in the technology used to publish, handwritten manuscripts gave way to the printing press, handset type gave way to computerised printing presses – but basically we read words that were printed on paper. However, it does look as if there is set to be a major change in reading thanks to the development of electronic books readers.

Devices such as the Amazon Kindle reader let readers download books electronically and read them using the reader itself. There are no printing, no ink and no physical product distribution costs. All of this means that e-books are not only cheaper to purchase but better for the environment as well.

Newspapers and magazines can be sent wirelessly to your Kindle reader.Right now Amazon have the only reader device with wireless connectivity – but Sony will be releasing their own wireless reader – the Sony Daily Edition reader – before the end of 2009. Other manufacturers, such as Apple, Samsung and Plastic Logic, have new readers either due for launch in the near future or in development.

In the academic publishing world, normally thought of as very traditional, electronic textbooks have already been introduced. A number of educational establishments have partnered with Amazon, to take advantage of the large format Kindle DX’s ability to display text with graphics and pictures. In California, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has announced that his state will make free electronic textbooks available to students. This program has already started, having been launched for certain academic subjects in August 2009.

Meanwhile, in Washington, the New Democratic Leadership Council published a white paper titled “A Kindle In Every Backpack”. The paper called for the free issue of electronic textbooks to scholars as a way of both saving money and keeping textbooks more current.
Even the way that we borrow library books may soon change. Sony’s Daily Edition reader will have software which, when used in conjunction with local libraries, will allow members to download electronic books “on loan”. At the end of the loan period the e-book will simply delete itself from the reader.

It seems that all aspects of reading and publishing – normally considered to be a very conservative and traditional area – is undergoing a step change. Electronic book readers, and the e-books which are stored and read using them – seem to be an idea whose time has come. The financial benefits, the environmental benefits and the added convenience for the end user seem set to ensure that these readers will become an integral part of everyday life in the near future.