Book romancing seems to have dwindled greatly in this age of science and technology because of the introduction of modern media of information and knowledge. Millions of books, pamphlets, magazines, newspapers, and broadsides have been published since the invention of printing more than 500 years ago.
People used to value books either because of their contents or because of their physical characteristics. But the availability of internet, online or digital libraries, exposure of print and electronic media and CDs, DVDs containing the much sought after subjects have shrunk the "scholars' world".
There was a time when people frequented libraries, book stalls and book fairs to find out material of their choice.
"Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed and some few to be chewed and digested: that is, some books are to be read only in parts, others to be read but not curiously and some few to be read wholly and with diligence and attention," said the 17th century English essayist Sir Francis Bacon.
Chairman Forum for Arts and Creative Talent (FACT) Saeed Akhtar Malik commenting upon the situation here said it is really unfortunate to note a decline in book reading culture.
"It is a lame excuse by young generation who often complain about scarcity of time, we have money to spend at sumptuous foods and refrain from buying a book valuing Rs 200 only," he added. He said our people should learn a lesson from European countries in this regard where despite tremendous developmental strides, people prefer book reading whenever they find time.
He said National Book Foundation is doing its best to encourage book reading and is urging the private institutes to come forward and share their responsibility. But still increased supply of books of all kinds in various languages, a book fair or much publicised campaign fails to attract people from all ages.
DIRECTOR GENERAL NATIONAL LIBRARY OF PAKISTAN CHAUDHRY: Mohammed Nazir enumerated various factors responsible for reduced book reading trend. He said the major factor is the attitude of concerned professionals as they insist on traditional libraries in this age of transition. He said the days are over when students were compelled to read certain books.
Second problem lies with our education system where students are not goaded properly to read more books, he said added, Without having nitty-gritty details, how can a researcher or student acquaint oneself with the basic concepts".
Thirdly, he said libraries do not offer ideal environment equipped with latest technologies where the reader can get his required information at ease. He suggested that proper training, latest equipments and service oriented attitude should be promoted.
The shops which sell new or used books are doing very little business these days. Owners of Mr Books said even much publicised edition of a book fail to bring people in large numbers. In Twin cities, the old bookshops are visited by a very little number of people despite their low prices.
These books containing general topics, autobiographies, travelogues, literature, historical, medical related issues and a lot more fail to attract people except small number of connoisseurs. "Though most of these titles can be found in mint condition but who cares!" said Akram Chauhan an owner of book shop in G/9 Sunday Bazaar.
There was a time when importance of the text, condition of the book, and demand for it determined the value of an old book but the trend has changed completely. Books considered rare by collectors and librarians are found together with common books.
"Experience and specialised knowledge are often needed to discriminate them which is lacking in our young generation," Zubair Karim, a retired official sorting old books at Saddar Bazaar Rawalpindi said.
It is observed that collectors and librarians often compete for the letters, cards, documents, photographs, and manuscripts of famous people and arrange special events but window shoppers outnumber the interested readers.
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