A recent article on printed books vs. libraries virtual lending did not mention one important aspect of this issue [“E-book access bill draws opposition from publishers,” Gazette, Nov. 2]. Print books are presently printed on paper made from trees. Trees have been described as the lungs of the world. This is not a time when we should be cutting them down for any momentary use! Eventually recycled paper may be good enough for books but until that time virtual reading material is good for the climate! I am 80 years old. I love printed books but saving our atmosphere is more important.

When I want a printed book I use inter-library loan. Using inter-library loan, I can get more materials, both printed or virtual, than I could ever afford or be able to store on my own. In my working life, I worked with sound equipment and could easily make copies of audio books. I do not do this because it is simply too easy to get them from the library on the internet.

Authors should be able to make a living from there writing. Having a wider market can provide this. Printing did not kill storytelling. Television did not kill movies. It merely changed our lives. The other advantage of online media is that new authors find it much easier to become known. The way we conduct our ourselves will change, hopefully before climate change overcomes lives.

John Howard

South Hadley