7 Simple Reasons for Universities Should Embrace E-readers
With the popularity of E-Readers growing with the success of Amazon’s Kindle, the debate over if Universities should start using them has drawn some pretty distinct lines. So the following is seven simple reasons why Universities should start adopting this technology.
1. The Environment – This seems like a pretty simple one, but it might be a little bit more complicated than it appears at first glance. Sure, less books are printed, but that’s not the only thing. Currently, if a new edition of a book comes out, it pretty much makes all the previous editions worthless. So now not only have you printed a bunch of books, but you have printed a bunch of now worthless books. E-readers eliminate this wasted stock and wasteful use of paper.
2. Lowers overhead – No more bookstores, no more book storage and no more people to work in the bookstore. Also, no more loosing money over books that go outdated in your school’s inventory.
3. Easier Updates – Imagine being able to keep your text books up to date with the most recent developments and information. It can easily be done with e-readers.
4. Less Confusion – Now there is no question which book students should have or which edition. Simply download and forget.
5. Hardware and Accessory Sales – For the University that is afraid that the overhead savings aren’t enough to make up for the loss of profits from the bookstore, you can recoup that by selling the actual hardware and all the accessories they will want. Because, lets face it, everyone will want to show their school spirit with that e-reader cover that has your school mascot on the front.
6. Convenient for Students – No more lugging books around or forgetting one you needed back at your room. All your books are with you all the time with your e-reader.
7. Appearances – It may sound silly, but image is everything. Schools want to look like they are more high tech and advanced than their competition, so why not play the part. Adopting new and useful technology is sure to get that extra attention.
From being environmentally conscience to being financially and technologically foresighted to the purely cosmetic, there are plenty of reasons why Universities should start using e-readers.
