Why Even Have Libraries? Libraries and the Challenges of Digital Collections

    When I worked at Barnes & Noble, I would always find myself being asked something to the effect of, "Do people even read physical books anymore?" I've been to several church services where clergy remarked how the "rustling of pages" has turned to the swiping of screens. It may not occur to every bookworm or reader, but there is a rising presumption in the back of our societal minds:

    In a world increasingly going online, where do physical books and libraries fit in? Or (to the horror of my old soul) why have brick and mortar libraries at all?

    There are still many advocates for the print and paper format of books, citing various benefits of memory retention, experience, and cognitive skills (Artushin, 2024). Still, people prefer the wider variety of content available with digital collections, including the various e-books and audiobooks available. At Spokane Public Library, the circulation of e-books and audiobooks even surpassed physical book circulation in 2023 (Roose, 2025). However, despite the rising popularity and usage, the library still struggles in the maintenance of its digital collection, in large part due to the taxing costs of digital collection purchase models. Where a physical copy of a book may cost a library up to $30, the digital copy can be around $40 and requires continual renewal (Roose, 2025). Additionally, digital copies of books tend to be more expensive for libraries, despite being free to use and access by patrons.

    In short, digital aspects in a libraries collection are prominent and popular enough to be in place. However, inequity for costs places an additional burden on libraries, one that they see less with the use of traditional print books. Unless they are given a large amount of funding, and publisher rates become more affordable and equitable, print books maintain a distinct economic advantage in some fields.

    So no, library buildings aren't going away anytime soon. There is certainly a place for people to use books online and access through portals like Libby, and there's also enough market for it. But until the money catches up (and let's be honest, libraries are underfunded as is), those "old-fashioned" physical books aren't going anywhere.

Works Cited

Artushin, H. R. (2024, February 2). The Case for Paper: Books vs. E-readers. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/well-read/202402/the-case-for-paper-books-vs-e-readers

Roose, R. (2025, January 14). Blog. Spokane Public Library. https://www.spokanelibrary.org/the-true-cost-of-ebooks-and-audiobooks-for-libraries/