By Ahmad Jawad
Writer is Chief Visionary Officer of World’s First Smart Thinking Tank ” Beyond The Horizon” and most diverse professional of Pakistan. See writer’s profile at http://beyondthehorizon.com.pk/about/
In my opinion, if focus is made on “Reading” whether on digital platform or in a library, it would prevent the conflict between digital and traditional Libraries. Libraries should spread into areas with limited or no internet facility, while digital reading, in urban areas with good internet density, on Google, ibooks or Kindle or other social media forums should be equally encouraged.
If technology can help reading habit, this help should be sought rather any conflict between traditional and digital modes of reading.
Listening books with a headphone from Apple iBooks is a unique feature of learning while walking, travelling or tracking or sitting or lying down with no need of holding or stretching your hands or in a noisy surrounding.
Night mode of Kindle or IBook allow you to read in darkness without the need of light. Marking, noting, copying information in a digital book is extremely useful feature.
Cost of a digital book on Kindle or IBook is cheaper than a hard copy.
Size of a book requires good space in your handbag while a Tablet can carry more than 100 books in a single tablet allowing you to read books with a wide range on the move.
Time managment challenges can be helped in digital reading to utilise those unused space where no other activity might be possible, for example, unexpected waiting due to changing schedules, travelling, walking, leisure time.
Digital technology should be seen and understood to enhance our skills rather than any conflict between traditions and technology. Balance and understanding can be improved while using digital technology and still preserving traditions.
