Sunday, December 30, 2012

E-book reading rises as print reading dips in USA

Pakistan News & Features Services

The common perception of the decline in reading the print editions of books, magazines and newspapers globally received strength from a recent survey conducted in the United States of America (USA). 

According to new survey findings by the Pew Research Center released on December 27, the percentage of adult Americans who read a book this fall has fallen to 75% from 78% a year ago. 

The survey of Americans age 16 and older discovered that 23% of people in the age bracket read e-books in the previous 12 months, up from 16% a year ago, while the percentage who read print books fell to 67% from 72%. 

The survey, from the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project, was conducted from October 15 to November 10 among 2,252 Americans 16 and up. 

The increase in e-book reading was fueled by higher ownership of digital reading devices, with the survey finding that 33% of Americans 16 and up had either a dedicated e-reader or a tablet, up from 18% in late 2011. 

The e-book usage among library patrons also rose in the last year, although it still remained at relatively low levels. 

Five percent of recent library users said they had borrowed an e-book in the past year, up from 3%; the percentage of library users who are aware that e-books are available at the library took a more significant upturn, rising to 31% from 24%.

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