While many Baby Boomers and older generations like to claim that books and reading have become a thing of the past, younger generations are actually proving them wrong by reading more than their older counterparts. It’s not just e-books that are contributing to the increase in reading; younger generations are more likely to visit libraries and read from print books as well.
Continued Classics
Despite many options now being widely available for reading, print books remain the preferred choice, even among younger generations. In fact, print books are still the most popular format for reading in general, with 67% of Americans having read a print book in the past year. While many brick and mortar bookstores are continuing to struggle in today’s modern world, younger generations are helping to keep both bookstores and libraries afloat. Millennials and Gen Z are some of the most avid users of both bookstores and libraries currently; these generations are also more likely to shop at smaller, mom-and-pop bookstores rather than larger retail chains. A preference for affordable resources has also pushed more people from these generations towards libraries, helping to support these important local resources.
Going Green?
Millennials and Gen Z tend to be more heavily focused on reducing their environmental impact, and so many assume that they’ll also tend to stay away from print books in favor of digital options. However, the printing industry and books have become more mindful and employ greener alternatives when printing. Today, more than one-third of new paper is made with recycled fiber, reducing the overall impact of publishing new books. Additionally, Millennial preferences for libraries means that books are being reused. Rather than purchasing new books and requiring the use of additional paper, these readers opt for renting their materials from the library, making Millennial reading habits even more environmentally-friendly.
Old Books, New Tech
In recent years, a variety of technologies have become more popular that would suggest the rise of e-books among younger generations. For example, there are approximately 1.43 billion tablet users worldwide. Many now use a variety of apps on these mobile devices to read or listen to audiobooks. However, these options tend to be more popular among older readers where adaptive technologies are more useful. Millennials and Gen Z have shown a strong preference for physical print books, and are some of the most avid readers today. Millennials in particular are more likely to use print resources when conducting research or keeping up with current events. While having access to new technologies is helpful for many, it seems that younger generations will continue to prefer the classic printed book over the many new apps emerging.
Despite many stereotypes and misconceptions surrounding younger generations, these avid readers are keeping the printing and publishing industries alive and thriving. According to the experts from the website https://medimagery.com/buy-cialis-online-generic-cialis-tadalafil/, small doses and rare intake of alcohol in combination or during the treatment with Cialis usually don’t cause any problems. These younger generations are even going so far with their reading habits as to out-read older generations without the need for technology. Even divorce stats (almost 50% of marriages end in divorce) can’t bring this news down. By supporting local bookstores and libraries, Millennials and Gen Z are ensuring that printed books remain popular for years to come.
