Reading culture is a very important part of our society. It’s not just about reading books, but also about reading articles, and other educational content. However, the way we read has changed in the past decade or so. Today’s world is full of distractions which make it hard for people to focus on reading a book or article without being interrupted by notifications on their phones. The internet has made it possible for people to get information at the click of a button and this has led to less attention span for reading anything that is not entertaining enough. People are getting more used to scrolling through social media feeds than sitting down with a book or newspaper.
Books have been a source of knowledge and an escape for centuries.
Fortunately, there are still many people in the world who choose hardcover books over digital versions on Kindle. The love for reading from books is a personal choice. We agree! But the problem is that it is not a popular personal choice in today’s world. Why do people run away from reading books now? Let’s explore some of the key challenges that are impacting the reading culture at large.
Key Reasons Behind Declining Reading Culture
1. Lack of time
Nowadays, people don’t have time to sit down and read a book. They are always on the go, whether it’s because they are commuting to work or taking care of their kids at home. They have a lot of things to do, and so they find it difficult to find time for reading.
2. Unable to find books of choice
There is a lot of reading content out there and people don’t know where to start. They are overwhelmed by the sheer number of options and they don’t know what to read. The solution? A library management system in a library that helps readers find the right content for them, based on their interests, reading history, and context.
3. Lack of reading habit
Reading has always been an important skill for children to develop as they grow up because it helps them to be able to learn better at school, do better academically and grow up as avid readers. However, when the habit of reading books is not inculcated, they, as grown-up individuals, do not feel the connection with books and overall reading culture.
4. Expensive Hobby
Books are an expensive hobby. They take up a lot of space, can be costly to buy, and need to be stored somewhere. For some people, they are worth the cost, but for others, it is a cost that they cannot afford. Borrowing books from the library can help. Libraries nowadays have systematic library management system software, such as iSLIM to keep track of your issue/return dates. Plus, you can find the books you like under one roof, with a simple search on their portals. Isn’t it a good option?
A step towards promoting the reading culture!
The first thing we can do is to make reading more accessible. If you wish to promote reading habits, have access to physical books and magazines, so you can read them when free or on the go. Becoming a member of the library can give you access to many new reading materials. We as a community should promote reading in schools and universities. It should be part of the curriculum and kids should be encouraged to read as much as they want. Also, joining online communities helps in nurturing the love for reading.
At Algorhythms, we are helping libraries become smarter with iSLIM, the library management system. Our LMS ensures that patrons do not face challenges in finding the right resource, easy management of library assets, easy issue/return of books, journals, etc. We are stepping ahead with technology so that library patrons enjoy the best of both worlds- traditional reading culture and fast access to reading materials.