A new survey from Pew Internet Research Center shows that 25 percent of Americans own a tablet, such as the iPad, up from 10 percent last year.

The survey also shows that the total number of people now reading e-books, on either a tablet or an e-Reader has grown to 23 percent, signaling the further decline of the printed word.

"The move toward e-book reading coincides with an increase in ownership of electronic book reading devices," said Pew. "In all, the number of owners of either a tablet computer or e-book reading device such as a Kindle or Nook grew from 18% in late 2011 to 33% in late 2012."

Many analysts have predicted the end of dedicated e-book reading devices, such as Kindles and Nooks. Analysts at IHS iSuppli projected in December that dedicated e-book reader shipments would fall this year to 14.9 million units-representing a decline of 36% from 2011's 23.2 million units shipped.

However, Pew's research shows that ownership of dedicated e-Readers saw an increase over the last year from 10 percent to 19 percent.

Pew says that those most likely to read e-books include those with college or graduate degrees, those who live in households earning more than $75,000, and those whose ages fall between 30 and 49.

What's more, the e-book phenomena has also affected libraries. Those borrowing e-books to download temporarily on their tablets or e-Readers has gone up from 3 percent to 5 percent this year.

"These data show that the process of book reading is shifting. 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," Pew's Lee Rainie told Central Valley Business Times.

The findings were based on a survey taken between Oct. 15 and Nov. 10, using a sample of 2,252 Americans ages 16 and older.