Introduction
Before the invention of the internet, hardcopy books were the only known types of books in the world. In the 1990s, several websites that sold e-books were launched. The following decades saw an increase in the demand for e-books, and academic institutions adopted electronic copies as classroom materials and texts. By doing so, the world altered a reading culture and replaced it with a new one that only required soft copy books. Despite this acclaimed change facilitated by technological advancements being a universal trend, there were certain facets associated with hardcopy books that could not be ingrained in e-books. E-books may be readily available online, but they compare to hardcopy books. The preservation of hardcopy books is essential because of their value to the reading culture, tradition, accessibility, and the relevance of libraries.
Discussion
Paper books are in danger of being entirely replaced by e-books in academic institutions. A study by Tuah et al. (2019) found that university students prefer e-books to paper books in their studies. According to Tuah et al. (2019), e-books are currently used in teaching and learning more than paper books because students prefer digitized books. Therefore, teachers in higher learning institutions are forced o used e-books despite most preferring paper books to e-books. With the upward trend in the preference for e-books, paper books will likely be eliminated from academic institutions soon since most learning and teaching materials are digitized.
The future of hard copy books is blurred due to the dangers posed by e-books and the increase in their loathing by the younger generations. Oyaid & Aishaya (2019) studied university students’ views, perceptions, and future intentions toward e-books and hard-copy books. Oyaid & Aishaya (2019) found that all the participants preferred e-books to hardcopy books. The phenomenon shows that the younger generations are more comfortable with digitized materials and disregard hard-copy books. Oyaid&Aishaya (2019) also found that as far as future intentions go, the participants intend to read e-books and not hardcopy books since they find them more relatable.
The world is in agreement about replacing hardcopy books with e-books. Bergström & Höglund (2020) evaluate the place of e-books in relation to hard copy books. The study indicates that the older American population believes that e-books cannot replace hardcopy books, but the rest does not share the sentiments. The findings indicate that e-books are not the second preference to hardcopy books; rather, they were in the early 21st century, but the situation has changed. In the current market, hard-copy books are less preferred than e-books, making them insignificant to learning as e-books gain more popularity.
Future generations will likely need to learn what hard copy books are going by the current trend. Uther et al. (2019) conducted a preliminary study on children’s reading styles and compared their use of e-books and paper books. Uther et al. (2019) found that between five and seven years of age at the time of the study were more inclined towards reading storied from touchpads than from paper books. The children did not understand the need to have a book when one can have touch with a book and other features. Uther et al. (2019) shows an increasing devaluation of hard-copy books across generations, and the books might be irrelevant later.
Based on the above studies, it is evident that hard-copy books are losing value in the current society. However, this does not translate to their lack of function simply because society has a new preference in its reading culture. Hard copy books are worth preserving because they have historical significance. One of the factors that characterize the evolution of the human species is reading and writing (Adorno, 2021). The ability to write is fundamental and empowered civilizations all around the world. Hard copy books were valuable since they contained important information and knowledge. The value of these books has remained the same today because they still hold knowledge. These books define eras from 2100 BC, when the oldest book is dated almost 4000 years later (Dasgupta, 2019). The significance of hardcopy books cannot be overstated in today’s world because they contain a historical significance.
In terms of eras, the late 20th and early 21st centuries are characterized by book clubs as part of social traditions in most parts of the world. Book clubs bring individuals within the same region to share and discuss their opinions and remarks about various books (Lewis & Zisselsberger, 2019). This tradition is important, especially to stay-at-home parents who use the meetings as social gatherings. Preserving hard-copy books is essential to these social settings that define society as it is today. Book clubs use hard-copy books as their preferred type because this has always been the culture. In essence, book clubs ensure that they preserve a culture that defines eras and has historical significance.
Hard copy books perpetuate the tradition of transfer of ownership. Books are among individuals’ most valuable assets in the late 20th century (Lewis & Zisselsberger, 2019). The books would be passed down through generations as they signified intelligence, shrewdness, and discernment. Aside from this, books made homes lively because they formed part of the décor, only that they were accompanied by infinite knowledge and wisdom. Preserving hard-copy books would be equivalent to preserving culture and ensuring that knowledge and wisdom are transferred down many generations.
Preserving hardcover books ensures the preservation of original manuscripts in their original form. Writing is an art, and the original piece is invaluable as a form of art. For example, the book “Oliver Twist” by Charles Dickens is one of the greatest pieces of writing in the history of written works (Andrews, 2020). The book’s original manuscript is invaluable almost two centuries later. The original copies of this book are also invaluable; it is only through being a hard copy that they find their value. However, with technology, such great books can be readily available on the internet, making them less valuable than they should be.
Public libraries have introduced e-books to cater to the needs of the new generation. However, it is still possible to access e-books online without being physically present in a library (Loh& Sun, 2019). Therefore, libraries only serve a purpose if students can access books online. It would be a terrible mistake for society to make libraries irrelevant because they hold so much historical and cultural significance, especially in the US. The most effective way to salvage the situation and reinstate the relevance of libraries is by preserving hard-copy books. Most individuals who prefer hard-copy books rely on public libraries to access the works of their favorite authors. As such, libraries will remain relevant if hard cover books are preserved.
Preserving hard copies is also critical to childhood development regarding reading and writing. The study by Uther et al. (2019) found significant differences between children who preferred e-books and those who preferred hard-copy books. According Uther et al. (2019), children who learned to read using hard-copy books acquired language faster than those who used e-books. They better understood concepts as illustrations in books were better than on screen. The study also found that children who used hard-copy books could write before those using e-books. Therefore, preserving hard-copy books is essential to the older generations and children.
The love for reading is evident in the differences between the older and younger generations. Individuals who read hard-copy books have a better reading culture than e-books (Loh& Sun, 2019). Hard copy books amplify the love for reading as physical books have a better effect on readers than e-books. Preserving hard-copy books will reignite the flame of the reading culture and inspire more people to read. Through this, society gets individuals who are not only knowledgeable but highly intelligent.
Preserving hard copy books ascertains security in accessibility. One of the arguments for replacing hard-copy books with e-books is that the latter are easily accessible as they can be found online (Loh& Sun, 2019). However, this is false because not all books are free and easily accessible. Individuals have to pay for books when needed, and a mistake such as deleting them would require one to make a new purchase. However, with hard-copy books, once one buys them, they become theirs and cannot be deleted. Therefore, they offer security in accessibility. Preserving hard-copy books means that individuals would be able to read books whenever they want to.
Hard-copy books provide a break from the strain of technology. Screens emit unpleasant blue light to the eye and cause eye problems (Mehra&Galor, 2020). When reading e-books, an individual may strain because of the light, resulting in long-term side effects. On the other hand, reading hard copies does not strain the eye because books do not emit blue light. This characteristic of hard-copy books favors individuals who read at night because the blue light strains the eye more at night. Preserving hard-copy books save readers from potential eye problems and allow them to enjoy reading sessions without worrying about health complications.
Conclusion
In conclusion, hard copy books have a historical significance and define various eras in human life. Studies indicate that e-books have replaced hard-copy books in almost all aspects of learning. Young children prefer learning how to read using tutorials and books on the internet. University students also prefer e-books as reading and learning materials, indicating that the tradition of reading hard-copy books is almost extinct. Research also indicates that most youths have intentions of purchasing e-books and no intentions of purchasing hard-copy books. It is therefore important to preserve hard copy books due to their value and various benefits they offer society. Hard-copy books defined society in various ways and forms before e-books, and some of these cultures are still important today. Moreover, hard copy books are the essence of the existence of libraries, with which libraries would be relevant; this would be unfortunate considering the historical and national value of libraries in the country.
References
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Uther, M., Ross, K., Randell, J., & Pye, R. (2019). Digital vs. hard copy? A preliminary study of reading style in children using touch screen and paper books. In Design, User Experience, and Usability. Application Domains: 8th International Conference, DUXU 2019, Held as Part of the 21st HCI International Conference, HCII 2019, Orlando, FL, USA, July 26–31, 2019, Proceedings, Part III 21 (pp. 495-502). Springer International Publishing. Web.