China News Service, July 7th. According to the South American Overseas Chinese News Network on the 6th, a study by the University of Chile in 2019 showed that only half of the respondents in the country have the habit of reading regularly. But during the new crown epidemic, this situation has changed, and the reading of Chileans seems to be increasing.
According to reports, data from the Chilean Digital Public Library show that they received 61,824 applications for e-book borrowing in May, an increase of 106% from 29,975 in 2019.
The sociologist Hernández of the American University of Chile stated that "there may be multiple reasons for this situation. Since it is not possible to go to the library to borrow books in person, there may be a change in the way of reading from paper to e-books."
Hernandez also believes that remote office allows some people to allocate time more flexibly and provides them with reading opportunities.
Valenzuela, a doctor of sociology in Chile, pointed out that digital platforms are increasingly becoming a tool for people to gain cultural wealth, which shows that people's reading habits may be changing, and this change may remain after the new crown epidemic.
In response to the changes of different types of readers in Chile during the epidemic, the clinical psychologist Rocha said, "Those who have reading habits, because the bookstore and library are temporarily closed, or fear that the book will be infected with the new crown virus, they will search and download Or buy an e-book so that you can continue reading as before."
Rocha pointed out: "Because of the positive effects of reading, the current isolation and the flexibility of reading, reading is a good choice, whether it is by yourself or with your family."