Even though electronic books have been around since Project Guttenberg in 1971, consumers are finally adapting to the concept of e-books. E-books are evolving into much more than a book that can be read but into an interactive experience. E-readers are in the hands of consumers have the capabilities to much more than being a reading device, but a device that increase productive in reading and other functions.
Electronic books are becoming a commercial success but, according to the 2011 Horizon Report, the adoption by the academic world is lagging. The lack of scholarly titles and the ability to maintain scholarly work holds back academic institutions from embracing this technology with open arms.
Electronic text books have started to move forward again in the industry for the simple fact of portability. There are numerous e-readers available, not just device driven but as application on a variety of devices such as smart phones. This opens up new avenues for e-reading not applicable before with much more portability and interactivity.
Electronic books will continue to grow and develop as the rate of adoption continues to increase with ease of accessibility. With increased accessibility, a wider rate of acceptance will develop especially in the academic field.
Reference
Johnson, L., Smith, R., Willis, H., Levine, A., and Haywood, K., (2011). The 2011 Horizon Report.
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