June 16, 2008
The Future of Reading
A century ago, the cinema was dismissed as “an invention without a future,” but today it thrives as much in theaters as online. Likewise, books and the habit of reading are often placed on endangered lists in our own time, especially by technophiles who denigrate the printed word as an obsolete “form factor.” But if reading is to have a future it must successfully build a bridge from the “old” ways of publishing to the new.
Panelists from publishing, academia, and the library community explore how social networking, online programming (including Internet-delivered TV), and related technology are poised to become saviors of printed word. Featuring publisher Paul Dry; publisher Ana Maria Allessi of audio titles and e-books for HarperMedia; Deborah Kovacs, Senior Vice President of Publishing for Walden Media; and librarian and author Irene McDermott.
The Future of Reading was moderated by Christopher Kenneally, Director of Author and Creator Relations at Copyright Clearance Center and host of the “Beyond the Book” podcast series.
