As a recent college graduate, this argument has always been on my mind since the pandemic a couple of years ago. Taking online classes introduced me to the convenience of having digital copies of textbooks instead of having to worry about physically going to a store and buying them or having to wait for them to ship to my house. There are so many options for purchasing digital copies, with some even being free pdf forms if you’re lucky.
So opting for digital copies instead of physical copies can be a challenging decision for some. Here are some of the pros and cons that I have learned over the years:
E-books have increased accessibility and easy searchability compared to physical copies. During the pandemic, libraries and bookstores across the U.S. closed in response to the spread of COVID-19. Reading was not affected since there are so many online databases available for accessing books. It’s also convenient that many universities now have online databases for their own libraries. This makes it so much easier for students that need a book at the last minute.
It’s also true that e-books do not require sanitation at the end of every use. In public libraries, this was a big issue during and after the pandemic since physical books were being passed around so often.
It is also true that e-books allow users to search for certain words or phrases within the article or book they are reading. This is especially useful for individuals who are writing a paper or looking for a specific piece of research for a class.
When it comes to physical copies, they are secure in accessibility and much easier on the eyes. While it’s true that almost everything is digital now, this may not be true of all books or articles. Usually, professor-assigned books can be found online, but if a student needs an unassigned book, these may not be available as digital books.
There’s also the issue of having to make sure your device is charged whenever you are going to class if you are using an e-book. This may also require students to need a charger on hand during class and an outlet nearby (which is a lot more difficult than it sounds). Many older or larger classrooms are big and may not have outlets close to the desks.
Physical copies do not require this much stress since they are available to read at any time.
Hardcopies also do not endanger your eyesight. The blue light from digital devices has been known to negatively affect vision and even sleep. When adding up the amount of time a student would be using digital copies of books for homework, during class, and for other assignments, these may actually do more harm than good.
Paper pages give the eyes a break from the harsh lighting of screens. If you’re a night owl like me, this option is much more beneficial for your eyes and overall health.
After weighing the pros and cons of these two versions, I personally still love holding a physical copy of a book in my hand as opposed to a device. Call me old-fashioned, but there’s nothing like having the real deal in front of you instead of relying on technology all of the time.
