The change in medium to audio books and Ebooks create some very unique changes in what will appeal to patrons. Browsing the stacks can give a sense of comfort and familiarity to patrons, I know it does for me. And so getting an electronic device to appeal to these patrons may be difficult without the ability for them to glance from cover to cover and physically pick up a book. I personally find it harder to search for a Ebook or have an Ebook grab my interest just because it can be less satisfying to search a database, especially if there isn’t cover art. Patrons may feel the same way. There may also be smaller factors that patrons may attribute to an Ebook or audio book being less appealing, such as having less of a sense of the length of a book in an electronic format or less of a connection to the story due to the platform.
With audio books and Ebooks other aspects of the format will become a factor not seen or realized with physical books. The different settings available for changing font and compatibility for different Ereaders are going to change appeal. For audio books, something that I can personally attest to, is that a story could be phenomenal or something that would normally appeal to me, but if the narrator doesn’t suit me, or if there are different audio enhancements such as music, or reading more like a play than a book it can be very hard for me to enjoy the audio book.
On the other hand, and again from personal experience I think that electronic formats can appeal to users that otherwise might not be reading. I am an avid reader, but with work hours, school, and social obligations I rarely have time to sit down and read a book, and when I do, I don’t have the energy for it. But, with audio books I have the opportunity to experience the stories while doing other things. Mostly, I listen to audio books at work (I’ve gone through about 15 so far this year), or while cleaning or cooking. Ebooks also come in handy because of the convenience. If I do get the compulsion to physically read something I can pull out my Nook, download a book and be reading within a few minutes (assuming that it’s charged).
Ebooks and audiobooks create a lot of different factors that may turn off some patrons, but I think they offer a unique and important opportunity for readers in situations that would make them appealing. It’s just a matter of finding those patrons and fitting the right formats and files to the reader.
I like that you mentioned listening to books while cleaning or cooking. I've been toying with the idea of getting Playaways to listen to while I do chores too. It's hard to get enough reading time when you're adulting! It was much easier to be a bookworm in childhood!
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