Books in the digital society: from printed to digital - Challenges digitizing the book supply chain to close the learning loss

• In Event: Books in a digital society? Improving the book supply chain for learners to read from classroom to libraries to home.

Proposal

The book supply chain refers to the entire process through which books are produced, distributed, and made available to readers. It involves a series of interconnected stages, from the creation of the book to its consumption by the end-users. Over the years, the book supply chain has evolved, offering a spectrum of solutions for marginalized communities and schools that range from traditional printed books to modern digital formats.
To address this challenge, the Global Book Alliance (GBA), was launched to challenge donors, stakeholders, and book supply experts to raise awareness on the need to close the world book gap.
During this presentation, we will explore and compare the lessons learned to increase the number of local books with examples of how each of these different solutions along the spectrum of the book supply chain is addressing the needs of learning (reading) for learners and where it is falling short to meet the right of every learner to have a book at the start of their school year. We will review the road from printed, to print-on-demand, to digital including sign language and audio books for children with disabilities and learning difficulties and how (digital) technology plays a role in this process (GEM Report 2023).
The presentation will explore how printed books (that represent the traditional form of books distributed in schools) are being complemented with other forms of the spectrum of teaching and learning materials. The supply chain for printed books typically involves the following stages from an author writing a manuscript, which is then submitted to a publishing house then goes to editing and formatting, the book is printed in bulk at a printing press and then for distribution through local channels in each ministry, culminating in active use by teachers, students, and other stakeholders
From printed, we will explore options for print-on-demand books, a more recent development in the book supply chain, which enables books to be printed as and when orders are received (ACR Annual Report 2022).
Third, we will review how digital or E-book, digital versions of printed books, are able to complement and boost the learning through electronic devices, such as e-readers, tablets, or smartphones (UNESCO DTC 2023). We will demonstrate how the process of creating an e-book is similar to that of a printed book, with some formatting adjustments for the digital format but the distribution through online platforms and digital networks can enable more people to receive this information.
The presentation will conclude with contrasting pros and cons of the book supply chain's spectrum of solutions from printed to digital offers learners and teachers more choices in how they utilize these books. Whether it is the tangible feel of a physical book, the convenience of e-books on portable devices, or the immersive experience of listening to audiobooks, each format caters to different preferences and needs of readers in the modern age.

Author

• Sergio RamirezMena, IREX