Old School Libraries vs. New Age Media: Psychological Perspectives on Information Consumption

Key Takeways:

  1. Traditional libraries enhance focus, memory, and mental well-being.
  2. Digital libraries offer fast, flexible, and global access to information.
  3. Screens can strain the eyes, reduce attention, and affect emotional health.
  4. Printed books support deeper comprehension and engagement.
  5. A balanced use of both formats best supports learning and mental health.

In today’s digital era, people use technology in almost everything, whether shopping,  talking, reading or studying. All are carried out on electronic devices with internet connections. New-age media has brought about major changes in how we get information. Where once, the main source of information was from books that were bulky, multi-volume collections stored in silent libraries; now information can be accessed right away by everyone on their devices  (Bamgbade et al., 2015). 

This shift from using printed books to digital screens was caused by the problems of conventional library services and the challenges with printed materials, such as the risk of book wear, along with the expense of buying books, upkeep of facilities, and the gradual process of managing and updating information (Long, 2021). Digital libraries solved these problems by giving readers a method that cost less, took less effort to update, worked on any device and was accessible everywhere (Jeong, 2012). This demonstrated that conventional libraries are not able to meet the needs of current information seekers. 

Besides convenience, there are now concerns about how this change affects people’s mental and psychological health. This leads to wondering whether we are accepting technology or if it’s causing us to disconnect from each other and become a less connected society. Changing from physical books to e-books does more than change the method of reading, it also affects attention span, memory and may result in psychological conditions like anxiety, ADHD and stress. 

Psychological Value of Traditional Libraries 

Traditional libraries offer more than just books on shelves. The library environment is quiet, peaceful and not distracting and encourages students to focus and develop self-discipline (Nmecha et al., 2019). A study by Ford (1979) indicates that libraries provide learners with opportunities to be independent and allow them to set and follow their routine and improve their understanding skills.  

One of the main psychological benefits of a conventional library is in its experience of handling books and flipping their pages, which creates a steady mental rhythm that screens cannot replicate. In addition, exploring the shelves and materials carefully provides both enjoyment and increases individuals’ knowledge of subjects related to what they are reading. Conventional libraries also improve users’ ability to pay attention and enhance their memory (Nmecha et al., 2019). 

Research also notes that viewing documents in print minimises visual problems and strain on eyes as compared to a digital medium. Using the Critical Flicker/Fusion Frequency  (CFF), Jeong (2012) observed that reading from screens led to much higher levels of eye fatigue. This, combined with poor ergonomics and sitting in a fixed posture for long periods, leads to tiredness and decreased learning ability (Macedo-Rouet et al., 2003). Furthermore, research shows library use has been positively associated with heightened life satisfaction and overall improvement of mental wellbeing (Fujiwara et al., 2017).

Psychological Concerns of Digital Libraries 

Digital libraries have made it so much easier to get information, as individuals can use texts, videos and audio to access books and other reading materials. Their success lies in their efficiency, making them ideal tools for managing time. Digital libraries provide advanced search tools that help find the right data at a fast pace (Jeong, 2012). Unlike traditional libraries, users can customise what they read, including audiobooks, adjustable text sizes for those with learning difficulties or other disorders. It also makes sharing and communicating information easier with other members.  

However, despite the convenience of digital media, it poses several negative impacts on mental health. Cognitive psychology makes a clear distinction between old-age libraries and digital libraries. Studies indicate that digital media’s visual focus can overwhelm the visual working memory and reduce the efficiency of mental processes. Research by Nielsen (2000), as cited in Jeong (2012), also shows that reading from digital books is 20% slower than reading from physical books.

In addition, increased use of e-books and screens by children and adolescents has been linked to greater anxiety, ADHD and stress levels. Furthermore, studies also show that frequently using screens can lead to decreased social skills and empathy, and it may also normalise experiences such as cyberbullying, social anxiety, and emotional burnout (Vasile, 2012). The study by Jeong (2012) also showed that students were more likely to make mistakes when learning from e-books than from physical books, and their performance was also better when reading from physical books.

It also revealed that while students were happy with the features offered by e-books, when given a choice between the two, they preferred physical books. In addition, the advantages of digital tools are not the same for everyone. Older adults and less technologically inclined individuals may have difficulties locating the pages and chapters in an e-book (Carlson, 2002) as cited in Jeong (2012).  Moreover, the process of separating correct information from unreliable data makes it more complex and increases exhaustion (Bamgbade et al., 2015). This suggests that despite the advantages of digital libraries, individuals are inclined to read from printed pages rather than from a screen. 

Influence of Conventional and Digital Libraries on Social and Emotional Well-being 

Besides cognition, traditional and digital libraries strongly influence social and emotional well-being. Conventional libraries, where it’s peaceful and structured, promote self-paced learning and help develop self-control (Ford, 1979). Unlike conventional library settings, digital situations offer constant distractions. Receiving notifications and the fast consumption of content will interfere with the learning process. Eventually, this may lead to a shorter attention span and increased stress. Although digital platforms make it easier to communicate and share around the world, they also discourage empathy and human interactions and can cause people to be isolated.

Conclusion 

In conclusion, some studies suggest that traditional libraries are better as they promote focus and control, but they don’t meet the needs of users, as digital media is usually faster and more accessible. Other studies believe that digital libraries could become significant in the future, but it may cause cognitive overload and strain. One of the best solutions to overcome the cons of both platforms is to find a psychological and learning balance. This can be done by developing a new model that combines the strengths of library learning and the convenience of digital media to create a knowledge space that supports learning and good mental health. (Rapp  et al., 2003; Yudov, 2023)

FAQs 

1. What is a traditional library? 

A traditional library is a physical institution that consists of books and other reading materials. Individuals can access these books for reading, writing, studying, etc. It is often monitored by librarians who assist the users and maintain a quiet environment. 

2. What is a digital library? 

A digital library is an online-based platform that provides access to digital collections of resources and articles, including e-books, audiobooks, videos, etc. Users can access them  from anywhere with an internet connection 

3. What are the benefits of physical libraries? 

Physical libraries offer an immersive experience with the book and an aesthetic pleasure of being in academic surroundings. It offers a non-distractive environment for focused study and provides a structured and independent form of learning. 

4. What are the benefits of digital libraries? 

Digital libraries can be accessed from all around the globe at any time with a steady network connection, it doesn’t involve visits or commuting to a location. It’s also cost-effective as it requires less physical space and other utilities. 

5. Will digital libraries completely replace physical libraries? 

No, as both forms of libraries have their values and can complement each other. This is  done by platforms that combine both physical and digital resources to serve diverse needs