E-readers rise, but less people reading

AROUND 20 per cent of US adults have read an e-book since last year, according to an extensive new study.

Those who read books, newspapers and other kinds of writing in digital form also are much more likely to increase, rather than decrease, how often they read.

Meanwhile, a substantial number of people still have no interest in e-devices, no matter the cost or product.

The 68-page report, The Rise of E-Reading, was released last night and is among the most comprehensive takes on the ever-changing book market.

It's also the first of a series about e-books planned by the Pew Research Center's Internet and American Life Project, which received a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Future e-book studies are expected to focus on the preferences of library patrons.

"The mission of the project is to look at the social impact of technology," the Pew project's director, Lee Rainie, said.

"And the future of knowledge and how it's disseminated and how it's packaged and the future of institutions like libraries and publishing houses is deeply implicated in that kind of work."

Overall, nearly 30 per cent of those surveyed say they own a device.

E-books received a notable bump from the December holidays, when they were popular gifts.

Around 17 per cent of those surveyed had read an e-book as of December, but the number moved up to 21 per cent by February.

The percentage of those owning tablets and those with Nooks or Kindles increased much faster, nearly doubling from 10 per cent in December to 19 per cent as of mid-January, suggesting that many who purchased an e-device have yet to read on it.

"I feel like a lot of people I know who just got a device start out by watching YouTube or playing a game and then they're like, 'Oh, I can read on this,"' Maja Thomas, senior vice president of the Hachette Book Group's Hachette Digital division, said.

The most troubling result: 19 per cent of those aged 18 and up said they didn't read a book over the past year, a jump from the 16 per cent who answered the same way for a 2005 Gallup poll.

"The nation cannot afford to continue losing readers," American Library Association president Molly Raphael said.

Publishers estimate that e-books comprise around 20 per cent of trade sales, a number growing, but not as quickly as in the past two years as the market matures and the most avid e-readers are likely accounted for.

According to Pew, the typical e-book user reads 24 books a year, compared with 15 for readers of paper only.

Few are exclusive e-users. Around 90 per cent of those reading an e-book also read a print book last year.

And 30 per cent of those downloading books, newspaper articles and other written material say they now read more often. Only 7 per cent read less.

The eventual dominance of e-books has been widely predicted, but strong resistance remains.

More than 80 per cent of those who had not read an e-book - across all age groups - said they had no plans to buy a device this year.

Among non-e-book readers, roughly half say they have no interest in e-books, have a preference for paper or don't read at all.

Around 20 per cent cite cost, although the price of a Kindle has dropped from more than $400 four years ago to under $100.

Amazon.com's Kindle is the overwhelming choice among e-book fans. Around 60 per cent own a Kindle, compared with around 20 per cent for the runner-up, Barnes & Noble's Nook.

Apple's iPad remains the clear leader among tablets, around 60 per cent.

The Kindle Fire, introduced last fall, is preferred by 14 per cent of tablet readers.

The survey was based on telephone interviews, with nearly 3,000 people ages 16 and up. (AP)