[OPLIN 4cast] OPLIN 4Cast #241: Print books checkup

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OPLIN 4Cast

OPLIN 4Cast #241: Print books checkup
August 3rd, 2011

<http://www.oplin.org/4cast/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/book_stack.png>While 
the /4cast/ usually focuses on tech news, our stated interest is 
"headlines, topics and trends impacting public libraries" (see our 
masthead). Certainly one inescapable trend is that the print book 
industry is changing, largely as a result of changes in what/how people 
read. We've all seen lots of articles about how ebooks are making 
significant inroads on reading habits, and also leading to new ways of 
presenting reading content (like subscription books 
<http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/whats_old_is_new_again_oreilly_publishes_time-rele.php>). 
So what's happening with print books, that staple of the public library? 
Well, it looks like some segments of the business are quite healthy, 
while others are undergoing some tune-ups.

    * Paperback publishers quicken their pace
      <http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/27/books/e-books-accelerate-paperback-publishers-release-dates.html>
      (New York Times/Julie Bosman) "E-books have made price an issue
      for publishers who are weighing the timing of a paperback. While
      there is often a huge gap between the cost of a new hardcover
      (say, $25) and its e-book edition ($13), paperbacks and e-books
      tend to be within a few dollars of each other, leaving many
      publishers to wonder if cost-conscious shoppers are reading
      e-books right away rather than waiting for the paperback."
    * Despite overall decline in trade books, science fiction/fantasy
      will grow 3.4% in 2011
      <http://www.simbainformation.com/about/release.asp?id=2217> (Simba
      Information) "According to the report, the science fiction/fantasy
      segment is gaining market share, adding half a percent in 2011
      compared to 2010, as it more than triples its 1% growth rate from
      the past two years. 'The sci-fi/fantasy segment has been a stable
      growth segment for the past few years,' notes Michael Norris,
      Simba Information's senior trade analyst. 'Since the book market
      took a big hit in 2007, it has been inching closer to its previous
      high-point.'"
    * Print isn't dead, says Bowker's Annual Book Production Report
      <http://www.bowker.com/index.php/press-releases/633-print-isnt-dead-says-bowkers-annual-book-production-report>
      (R.R. Bowker) "In 2008, the production of non-traditional
      print-on-demand books surpassed traditional book publishing for
      the first time and since then, its growth has been staggering. Now
      almost 8 times the output of traditional titles, the market is
      dominated by a handful of publishers. In fact, the top three
      publishers accounted for nearly 87% of total titles produced in 2010."
    * Print-on-demand and the future of independent publishing
      <http://www.popmatters.com/pm/feature/144043-print-on-demand-and-the-future-of-independent-publishing-part-2/>
      (PopMatters/Matthew Asprey) [Interview with Matthew Moring,
      founder of Altus Press] "With each year, I think POD comes closer
      and closer to the same respectability as traditional publishing.
      It's telling that so many mainstream authors are going this route,
      as are some of the old-school publishers. POD allow for the most
      esoteric books to see the light of day. Are we selling a million
      units a year? No, but there's a long tail here... lots of things
      to publish for the same dollar that otherwise would be spent on a
      traditional publisher's product."

*/Trend fact:/*

Bowker's survey of book consumers also revealed a trend that might 
affect all kinds of books: reading as a pastime continues to decline 
<http://newsbreaks.infotoday.com/Digest/New-Report-on-Book-Consumer-Demographics-and-Buying-Behaviors-76513.asp>, 
with only about 57% of book buyers reporting that they read a book at 
least once a week.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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