From paper to screen

If in the past, reading culture was associated with the image of printed pages with the scent of ink and paper, now, with the development of the internet and smart mobile devices, e-books, audiobooks and digital publications are gradually becoming an indispensable part of many people's reading habits.

The development of digital publishing, the richness and diversity of digital information resources on the internet play an important role in nurturing and developing a reading culture. According to the Department of Grassroots Culture, Family and Library, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism: digital transformation in the publishing industry diversifies products and publishing forms, especially the rapid increase of electronic publications/digital publications. Digital publishing products mainly include: digital newspapers, digital magazines, online original documents, online educational publications, online maps, e-books, etc.

Rapid increase in electronic publications/digital publications. Photo: iPub.vn

According to statistics from the Department of Publishing, Printing and Distribution on publishing and distribution activities in 2023, 24/57 publishers participated in electronic publishing and distribution, accounting for 42.1% of the total number of publishers, bringing the rate of electronic publishing of total publications to 15.3%, publishing applying new technology increased sharply, reaching 4,000 publications, an increase of 19.4% with about 36 million copies.

Every year, the number of publishers participating in electronic publishing increases, providing many digital publications, e-books, and audiobooks, meeting people's needs and contributing to the development of reading culture.

In addition, most provincial public libraries have increased digital transformation activities, building digital databases in various ways, such as purchasing access rights, purchasing shared exploitation rights, sharing, digitizing documents, etc. In addition to reading printed books, libraries also provide e-books/digital books.

The library sector is promoting the development of electronic libraries/digital libraries, enhancing digital information resources, responding to the trend of enjoying reading culture based on digital platforms, electronic/digital formats and serving exploitation through the internet environment...

A solid foundation for reading culture

The power of digital publishing and digital information resources lies in their convenience and superior accessibility. With just a smartphone or computer connected to the internet, readers can easily search, buy and enjoy thousands of books anywhere, anytime. This is especially useful for young, active people, people living in remote areas or those with limited time.

One advantage of digital publishing that cannot be ignored is its reasonable cost. Eliminating the printing, shipping and warehousing steps means that the cost of e-books is often lower than that of traditional printed books, allowing readers to access more books without worrying about financial issues.

Despite the huge potential for the development of digital publishing and digital information resources, there are still many challenges in promoting reading culture in the digital age.

Not only does digital content digitize, digital publishing also brings a more diverse and engaging reading experience. The integration of audio, images, and videos in digital publications creates an interactive reading space, attracting attention and enhancing the ability to absorb information, especially for the younger generation of readers. Audiobooks become ideal companions on trips or when doing housework, while interactive books arouse curiosity and interest in exploring knowledge.

Although the development potential of digital publishing and digital information resources is enormous, Vietnam is still facing many challenges on the path to promoting reading culture in the digital age. A representative of the Department of Grassroots Culture, Family and Library said that the system of policies and laws on the development of the publishing industry must continue to be improved, especially the contents related to innovation in the management mechanism of publishing activities; publishing and distributing electronic publications/digital publications...

Many experts also believe that uneven technological infrastructure, the habit of reading printed books, copyright issues and the lack of high-quality human resources to develop digital publications are barriers that need to be addressed.

Digital publishing and digital information resources are not only a trend but also a strong driving force for developing reading culture in Vietnam. With the continuous innovation of technology and efforts from stakeholders, it is expected that Vietnam's reading culture will develop strongly.

Source: https://daibieunhandan.vn/van-hoa-doc-thoi-dai-so-post410880.html