Trends on Tuesday: e-Reading on the Rise

What’s black and white and read all over? An e-reader. While it may be premature to revise classic riddles, a recent study by the Pew Research Center indicates that e-books are gaining popularity among American readers. Nearly three in ten adults (28%) reported reading an e-book in the past year, up from 23% at the end of 2012.

Who’s reading, and how:

• Half of American adults now own either a tablet or an e-reader for reading e-content.
• Most people who read e-books and own a tablet or e-reader also consume e-books on their personal computer and cell phones.
• Among individuals who read a book in the past year, 47% of those under 30 read an e-book, as did 42% of those ages 30-49 and 35% of readers ages 50-64.

Reading habits are changing. Although print should not be abandoned, government communicators must acknowledge the mobile lifestyles of their audiences. So the next time your agency releases a report, white paper or any other significant publication, take a few extra steps to make it mobile, as our article on ebooks explains.