In the age of smartphones and tablet computers, printed resources like encyclopedias face an uncertain future.
The outlook for the printed word got a little more bleak with Encyclopedia Britannica’s announcement last week that it will stop printing publications and move to an online-only format.
Encyclopedia Britannica published its first three-volume edition in 1771. Now, 244 years later, the print versions face extinction. The 2010 version of the Encyclopedia Britannica will be its last.
Many students and librarians concur with the decision and its implication that print versions are no longer necessary.
“I prefer online resources, specifically databases,” said Sigrid Kelsey, electronic reference resources and Web development coordinator for LSU Libraries. “If they are controlled and checked by editors, I think they are just as good as print versions. I think that many students also prefer to go online for research because it’s more convenient for them if they are conducting research at home.”
Kelsey believes students only use the encyclopedias when professors require a certain number of print sources for a research paper.
Kinesiology junior Payton Kingsley said she enjoys using encyclopedias because of the tangible advantages.
“I like being able to hold paper and have something actually in my hands when I am doing work,” Kingsley said.
But English freshman Brian Lafourcade disagreed, saying the Internet can offer a wide range of views on a topic.
“With encyclopedias, there is just one viewpoint,” Lafourcade said. “I can do a search and find a bunch of different opinions and views. I like to use the Internet because there is more information available. It is just quicker and easier.”
Kesley also said the online trend has led many students to employ Wikipedia as a resource.
“It’s a great resource, but students should be sure to use Wikipedia to find other resources,” Kelsey said.
Students agreed, but said that Wikipedia is a great asset when they’re only looking up a quick fact.
“I use Wikipedia frequently if I am not doing something for school,” Kingsley said. “Because it can be changed by anyone, I wouldn’t use it for an assignment.”
 
—- Contact Joshua Bergeron at [email protected]