@Green Witch,
Green Witch wrote:
Schools already loan devices. Kids are assigned a device the same way they are assigned a textbook that must be returned. I know they are doing it with iPads and I can probably find a link given a little time.
I know people have a romantic soft spot for books, as do I,, but I'm currently sitting next to over 300 books in a device the size of a piece of toast so I'm not as concerned as I was before about the decline of printed books. I'm also someone who is starting to have trouble with my eyesight and I welcome the ability to make text larger and smaller with the touch of a button (or screen). I think eventually these devices will be very cheap or free and available to all just like our local libraries.
I remember reading an article about a public school in NYC that offered iPads to their students. I agree that in the long run it would probably be more cost efficient considering the price of textbooks and their frequent changes.
Libraries have also attempted to offer loans of ereaders in an effort to get more people reading (so few 'large print' books are purchased along with standard books and and, as you note, an ereader would solve this).
The Sacramento Public Library recently purchased Barnes & Nobles' ereader (the Nook), preloaded it with 20 books and offered it for check-out, but was sued by the DOJ under the ADA (claiming the B&N ereader is inaccessible to blind patrons). They reached a settlement wherein the library had to promise not to buy any additional Nooks and agree to purchase both the iPod Touch and iPads since these devices are accessible to blind patrons.
I imagine schools would face a similar challenge and that's probably why NYC went with the more expensive iPad.
