Technology development in the last decade has transformed human being’s previous life style in a great deal, as it did in the case of individual’s reading habit. Nowadays, people are more likely to read digital version of magzines the the printed version. This phenomenon has certainly raised a doubt for managers in public libraries about whether they should only provide books to readers instead of various forms of materials. However, this problem can hardly trouble them when considering high-tech media’s extensive contents, economical and environmental benefits as well as its contribution to economy development.
The extensive content of high-tech media makes libraries providing multi-media materials necessary in order to sever their readers better. Computer science techonology diversifies the forms of expression on printed books. For example, the movie, Pride and Prejudice, producted in Hollywood makes Jane Austin’s original novel more vivid, thus improving understanding on the figures portraited in the novel and intriguing more readers. Furthermore, many modern works are created based on modern technology. An illuminating example is worldwide blogsphere where contemporary writers post their works instead of printing them out. Provided that these materials are available in public libraries, readers could have far more choices than otherwise.
Apart from the quantity of its content, high-tech media can also bring us with economical and environmental benefits. It is universally acknowledged that the storing form of digital resource is extraordinarily intensive, usually 500mb digital units in a single disc that is equivalent to the information contained by 10,000 books, which saves much space and a great deal of money for maintenance. In addition, it helps to protect wood that traditional books are made from. The amount of wood that is used to produce papers worldwide in a single year equals to 100 acers of forest, estimates Royal Environment Committee, a royalty-sponsored organization.
Providing high-tech media in public libraries can also be recognized as a form of contributing to economy development. A survey conducted by Chinese economy development ministry suggests the proportion of multi-media industry’s contribution to economy is growing expontentially that accounts for well over 40% of GDP last year. Therefore, introducing high-tech media to libraries has the potential to augment the development in this industry and sustain the growth of economy especially during economic downturn.
Digital resource and materials will certainly prosper and become a prevailing part of information in the future owing to its extensive content, economical and environmental benefits as well as its contribution to economy. Admittedly, printed books should also be provided in libraries as a major and traditional source of information. However, it might be imprudent to draw an absolute conclusion that it is the only source of information that should be provided in libraries. After all, it is always better to have more options than only one.
