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eReading Survey

The must-have device for readers these days seems to be an e-reader whether Kindle, Nook, Sony, BeBook, or other dedicated reader. For those who want to do more than simply read on a device, there are always computer screens, tablet computers, netbooks, and more.

To test how up to date you are on eReading, I’ve come up with a little multiple choice quiz. (I’m a former teacher. Testing’s in my blood.) The answers come from the recent PEW Report on E-Readers published in April 2012. (The questions use PEW wording so that the results stay true.)

What percentage of Americans have read an eBook?

11%

14%

21%

52%

The average reader of eBooks says she has read how many books in the past 12 months?

12

24

48

100

In that same 12 months, what was the average number of books read by a non-eBook consumer?

15

30

60

100

Readers use which devices to read books? (Mark all that apply.)

Computer screen

Smartphones

Dedicated eReaders (Kindle, Nook, etc.)

Tablet computer (iPad, etc.)

People prefer print books to e-readers for which purposes? (Mark all that apply.)

Reading with a child

Sharing a book with others

Reading in bed

Having a wide selection of books to choose

Reading while traveling or commuting

Being able to get a book quickly

A majority of book readers whether of print or eBooks prefer which way of getting their books?

Buy the book

Borrow the book

For the most recent book a person read, which way did they obtain the book?

Borrow it from family, friends, or co-workers

Borrow it from the library

Bought it

Got it from another source

Who reads more?

Those who prefer print on paper

Those who use an eBook

The one place I was disappointed in the PEW study was in its survey about where readers get book recommendations.  The only answers the survey of 2,986 people were given to choose from were a) family members, friends, co-workers, b) online bookstores or other websites, c) staffers in physical bookstores, and d) librarians or library Web sites. This is a little misleading since the question skews the B answer toward bookstores and the D answer toward libraries. I wonder when people were answering this question if they thought of AAR and chose B as an “other” website. My gut feeling is that they didn’t.

The times are definitely changing as far as books and reading are concerned. Fortunately, romances endure whether they are printed on paper or appear as pseudo-ink on eReaders. And AAR is here to help you navigate the glut of reading choices. Or as my husband always reminds me when I’m plodding through a less than scintillating book, “You’re reading so that others don’t have to.” Conversely, I’m reading so that I can express my joy of the reading experience.

I was surprised by many of the findings. Were you?

Answers: 1. C; 2. B; 3. A; 4. All; 5. A and B; 6. A; 7. C; 8. B

-Pat Henshaw

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