E-books will not replace the physical book. New media will join old media. E-books should stimulate new information products. Stephen King's Internet novella, Riding the Bullet , debuted in March. With more than one half million downloads, it served as a successful test of electronic publication.
Electronic publications have potential for furthering specialized publishing.
The e-book is creating new markets for small and specialty publishers. Some Nebraska libraries have purchased electronic reading devices for demonstration and loan. E-books are suitable for any library. Libraries can join with other libraries for cooperative purchasing, making available hundreds of titles at a cost based on the library's service population or some other equitable formula. E-books won't replace the physical book and the Internet won't replace libraries.