Bookworms are choosing e-readers over hardcovers and softcovers more than ever, says a recent Pew Research Center study.

A month-long study found more Americans readers, ages 16 and older, are embracing e-readers. The number of traditional readers dropped from 72% to 67% from last year, while digital bookworms jumped from 16% to 23%.

“These data show that the process of book reading is shifting," Director of the Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project Lee Rainie wrote in an email to Mashable. "The rise of e-reading devices has major implications that are affecting the publishing industry and eventually could affect the way knowledge is packaged and the way ideas are spread."

Broader e-reader and tablet ownership helps the increased popularity of digital novels. Compared to the results from a phone survey conducted in May 2010, the percentage of individuals who own either a tablet or e-book reader increased from 6% to 33% in November 2012, according to Pew's latest trend report.

SEE ALSO: Teenagers, E-reader Owners Still Visit Libraries



Libraries across the nation that recognize the trend are building e-book collections. This summer, two New York City public library systems partnered up with Penguin Group and electronic-book distributor 3M to distribute nearly 15,000 digital titles, according to a Wall Street Journal report. About 31% of national public libraries currently offer e-books, compared to 2011's 24%. Digital book rentals at the library have increased from 3% to 5% in a year.

Who makes up the e-reader generation? It's mostly highly educated individuals, ages 30 to 49, with a household income of more than $75,000, according to Pew.

Have you replaced print books with digital novels? Tell us why or why not in the comments.

Image courtesy of Flickr, DaveFayram