‘The future of the book’ as a research problem in qualitative content analysis

Abstract

The aim of the research was to characterise the discourse on the future of the book which involved representatives of various academic disciplines and professionals connected with the book market and libraries. As a result of the analyses, basic categories of problems occur ring in the statements about the future fate of the book were identified. Among these were references to the nature and significance of the discourse itself, predictions about the future of the book and the factors (both internal and external) that may determine it, as well as the impact of digital media on the continued existence or potential disappearance of conventional books. The research used a qualitative content analysis of articles selected with the help of the EBSCO EDS scholarly search engine and published between 1990 and 2023. The presentation of the results indicated the significance of the aforementioned discourse for book knowledge. Specific factors related to the structure and system of the book, which were indicated as im portant for its future, as well as environmental determinants relating to the general economic situation and current legal regulations were identified. The significance of the existence of a reader pursuing a specific model of communication practices was highlighted. The various forms of relations which take place, or could take place in the future, between the book and new media were characterised.