change (blogpost#5)

Farewell to the Printed Monograph
Within the next two years, University of Michigan Press will shift the majority of its annual scholarly publications from a print format to a digital format. They hope that this will give their books a much broader distribution. While readers will still have the option to pay for print-on-demand physical copies, the new publications will be released in digital format only. Michigan reps believe the business model based on printed monographs is not merely failing, but is broken and doomed.

Coming from the standpoints of both a consumer and a future library professional, I think that Michigan is making a mistake. Granted, a lot of "scholarly" work isn't necessarily read by the masses, but I don't think that Michigan will be doing themselves any favors in making this shift... even with whatever popularity Kindles and other portable e-book readers may carry.

From a personal standpoint: I really don't read e-books. It's not that I'm trying to rebel against anything, it is just that I hate staring at a screen for hours on end. There is absolutely nothing satisfying in doing so. If I am going to spend the time reading a book, I want it in my hand. I want to put it down and pick it up. I want to mark my progress by looking to see how many pages are left. This doesn't even mention that I also don't want to spend money on an e-book reader or carry my computer around. So, in terms of a reaching a broader audience, I can't be the only one that isn't interested.

From a library standpoint: I don't see this as being very beneficial. First of all, libraries won't be ordering the cheap, print-on-demand copy... meaning the only access will have to be electronic. Aside from a change in who will read or even have access to the book, what will have to change for the library? How will the library obtain/maintain a license to all of these books? What will the cost of all of this actually be to the library in the long run?

I really don't have a problem with publishers offering e-books, but I think completely replacing the traditional print publishing is a mistake. I don't believe libraries will benefit and I don't think it will invite new readers... at least enough new readers to replace the ones being left out. While Michigan insists that it isn't about the money, the current economic conditions are probably calling for people to come up with answers. I suppose that a complete change probably entices those who are trying to stay afloat and relevant in a technology driven environment.