Ereader Users Likely to Read More, Buy More Books, Study Says
RSSBy SLJ Staff
So says a new study by market research firm Harris Interactive, which questioned 2,775 adults and found that one in ten Americans use some sort of ereader. While the youngest of those surveyed was 18, the report does shed some light into overall reading patterns, which can apply to kids. The study sought to answer whether the introduction of a new way of reading has changed reading habits, and while it may still be too soon to detect major shifts, small ones are already apparent. First, those who have ereaders do read more. Overall, two in five Americans (40 percent) read 11 or more books annually, while one in five read 21 or more books in a year (19 percent). Among ereader owners, more than one-third read 11-20 books a year (36 percent) and over one-quarter read 21 or more books in an average year (26 percent). Ereader users are also more likely to buy books. One in five Americans (21 percent) say they haven't made a book purchase in the past year, compared to only 8 percent of ereader users who say the same. A little over one in ten Americans purchased between 11 and 20 books (11 percent) or 21 or more books (12 percent) in the past year. But ereader users were more likely to have bought or downloaded books, with 17 percent purchasing between 11 and 20 books and 20 percent purchasing 21 or more books in the past year. It looks like there are some ereader adaptors on the horizon, as well. Some 12 percent of those surveyed say they plan to buy one in the next six months. Meanwhile, 21 percent aren't likely to take the leap and 59 percent say they're not likely to purchase an electronic reading device at all. Interestingly, those on both coasts are more likely to take the plunge, with 16 percent of west coasters and 14 percent of east coasters saying they're likely to purchase an ereader in the next six months. By comparison, a whopping 69 percent of Midwesterners say they have no plans to buy one. When it comes to age, some 15 percent of Gen Xers—those between 34 and 45—take the lead and are most likely to purchase one in the next six months. What about the criticism that those with ereaders will read at the same levels even though they tend to download more books than they would traditionally purchase? "So far this criticism is not holding true at all," say researchers, adding that 53 percent of those with ereaders report they read more now than they did six months ago, compared to 18 percent of non-ereader users. At the same time, 51 percent of non-ereader users say they read the same as they did six months ago, compared to 25 percent of ereader users. With ereader sales expected to continue climbing and as more devices become available, reading habits will inevitably change, the study says. While it's too soon to tell exactly what that change will be, "this early evidence is pointing to something good—people seem to be reading more if they have an ereader, which is something the publishing industry, which has been in decline over recent years, is sure to celebrate," the study says. This article originally appeared in the newsletter Extra Helping. Go here to subscribe. If reading books was not part of their every day life to begin with, I doubt that e-readers will entice them to read more. Also, according to Harris Interactive, "We are committed to serving the best interests of our shareholders". Hmmm.... I read both and enjoy both. I like my ereader because it is on my iPhone which I take everywhere. I am never without a book. I will always believe that there is room for both. But, I can visualize the need for hardbacks may reduce which will not be a crime. We do need to save trees and our environment. I totally believe the statistic that e-reader owners read more, for the following reasons:
1) The occasinal reader isn't likely to buy an e-reader, so the population is self selecting.
2) And, even after buying an e-reader, I totally believe that the owner will read even more. I am exhibit A: I am a female, pushing 50. Have been an avid reader all my adult (an much of my pre-adult) life. I bought my Kindle (1st and only e-reader) just over a year ago. I have read more in the past year than I in the previous 3 years combined. I enjoy big fat histories that just don't travel well in book form, but my kindle doesn't gain an ounce no matter how many books I download, and it is with me all the time. I have floaters and the beginnings of presbyopia, but I keep my Kindle set on a larger font (I would guess something equivalent to 14 or 16) and I have no eye strain whatsoever. Reading on my Kindle just feels faster than reading with a big bulky traditional book.
3) Also, the 3G option means that the very moment I finish one book, I can download the next and start reading it (and I have done this very thing several times). Less time between books means more books read over time. Of course, if someone is going to spend money on an e-reader it's because they're someone who likes to read.
I find I read more since getting a Kindle, because I download free books off gutenberg.org and other sites, so it's like having a huge library. Also, it makes it so I can "carry" many books at once wherever I go. I still read print books too. It's not an either/or. Once in a while I will buy a book from Amazon, usually an impulse buy, but I still go to bookstores (the few indies there are left) and browse and buy. I'm hoping independent and used bookstores will make a comeback due to the chains selling fewer books because of e-books and therefore closing. Then indies can open and sell the non-bestsellers that are NOT for sale on Kindle. Perhaps I'm being utopian, but we need hope. * = Required information
Here's some encouraging news about Kindle, iPad, or Nook users—they're likely to read more and buy more books than those who don't own an ereader.
Reader Comments (8)
Posted by Nancee on September 23, 2010 05:39:01PM
Posted by June Morgan on September 23, 2010 03:46:20PM
Posted by Rebecca on September 24, 2010 07:00:03PM
Posted by Tori on September 25, 2010 01:57:25PM
