On the Role of Books

Reading is important, and literacy matters. Connecting people with books and information is one of the primary missions of libraries, both public and academic. The contemporary conversation frequently centers around whether books should be made available in print or digitally, with many suggesting the the print book is dying. In academia, this conversation is not irrelevant, as it has implications for budgets and space planning.

 

It is important, however, in the midst of these conversations, to not lose track of the ultimate goal. In the end, whether someone reads a book on a Kindle or a phone, or tosses a paperback into their purse or backpack is irrelevant. What matters is that they are reading.

Lisa Lucas, Executive Director for the National Book Foundation, shares her perspective on why books matter in a PBS News Hour “Brief but Spectacular” segment. The highlights are below, but watch the video at the bottom of the page for the full impact of her words.