Reading outside the library: how the Internet has affected reading in China

Abstract

Edited version of a paper presented at the World Library and Information Congress, 69th IFLA General Conference, Berlin, Germany, 1–8 August 2003. There are already more than 20.83 million host computers and 59.10 million Internet users in China. Most of them get access to the Internet at home, office or school, and a few at the library. Their needs for e-books or science and education are among what they mostly searched for through the Internet. It has been predicated that a lot of reading is done outside the library. How has the Internet been used to encourage reading in China? This paper looks at three noticeable ways starting from news online, digital journals and e-books, the printed editions of which are the main categories of traditional publications. It is also pointed out what would improve reading further, and how traditional publishing and libraries have been affected.