Aug. 1, 2009

By Corey Byers

As technological innovations like Amazon.com’s Kindle have emerged for people to read electronically, Virginia’s reading and writing professionals acknowledge an impact to traditional reading but don’t see an end to the printed page.
On Saturday, 40 authors, librarians, publishing agents and publishers gathered at the Hanover Book Festival, an event sponsored by the Hanover chapter of the Virginia Writers Club. Virginia authors showcased various genres of books.

Preferring Print

In the battle of virtual books versus traditional print books, Christian author Elizabeth Nicholas has clearly chosen sides.
“They definitely should not stop publishing books…who the heck wants to go at two in the morning, like I usually do, and pick up Kindle?” Nicholas said. “You want to lie in bed, look under covers and enjoy yourself and two or three years down the road come back and reread it.”
Nicholas enjoys the permanence of the printed book and finds regular books easier on her eyes.
“I’m sorry but I don’t want to lie in bed with my computer.”

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Listen to a podcast from Hanover Writers Club Treasurer Joanne Liggan and college professor June Forte as they talk about why Kindle is important to both authors and readers alike.

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The Modern Library

Pamunkey Regional Library Branch Manager Jamie Stoops said changes in technology have lead to different needs for modern library space. Stoops manages the Mechanicsville Branch which recently opened a 16,000 square foot facility.
The library is more than three times the size of the original building and was the result of public demand for new technology.
Stoops said technology is “definitely changing the face of libraries.” While the facility used to have eight computers, the expanded building holds 30.
“We offer a whole bunch of new services,” Stoops said. “I think the library is more of a community center rather as opposed to a place that houses books.”

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Author Naana Kyereboah showcases her children's book.

Watch an audio slideshow presentation of the 2009 the Hanover Book Festival. The Hanover Book Festival began in 2006 by the Hanover Chapter of the Virginia Writers Club to help promote reading. Since then the event has grown and now features various authors and genres from all over Virginia.

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Here To Stay

With the economy in turmoil, a couple of authors said people still want printed books.
Non-fiction author Fredric Almond Sr. published his first book earlier this year and believes that despite technology, the number of printed books will keep going up.
“With the economy people can’t go on trips like they used to so they’ve got to read…reading is in,” Almond said.
Multi-genre author Pamela Kinney said books from smaller publishers are coming into their own, especially when hard cover books can be expense; she doesn’t see electronic reading as a threat to books.
Kinney uses a Sony E-Book and reads on her laptop.
“I just want to read.”
Civil War era author Emerson Williams predicts books may go all electronic, but not for at least another 10 years.
“I think it’s more down the road you’ll see a change as far as hard copies,” Williams said. “People will use the Internet more rather than buy the actual hard copy of the book.”

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(Originally published on http://coreybyers.wordpress.com/ on Aug. 1, 2009)