In Defense of the Printed Book

Abstract

“But nowadays, instead of looking at books, people read them.”

∼George Bernard Shaw

As a librarian, I am often asked about the imminent demise of the printed book. The question comes from all sorts: friends and family concerned about the viability of my chosen profession, bibliophiles worried about losing the books they love so much, and even the occasional stranger who wishes to provoke me into a passionate rant about the printed word. My answer, however, is always the same. Books will never go away. Though society will change and adapt to new technologies, the printed book will remain constant.