Well, the municipality of Hardenberg (Overijssel, the Netherlands) seems to think so. Starting Jun 22nd, 15 of their council members are issued with an iRex Digital Reader reader as a test to see if eReaders could reduce the paper flow required to prepare for council meetings. If this trial proves successful, the municipality of Hardenberg plans to fully switch to paperless meetings by April 2010. It will be the first Dutch city to completely shift to digital delivery of documents.
“It is a step that completely fits within the ambition that the city has set for itself,” said Yolanda Waaijer, Registrar of the city of Hardenberg. “Our objective is strongly focused on reducing the CO2 emission by the local government. With this step, we as a community significantly contribute toward this. It is not only the entire paper flow that can be omitted, but also the whole logistics to get the documents to the correct locations. Perhaps the biggest saving is in this last aspect, “continues Waaijer. “In addition to saving paper and reducing the environmental impacts, it also saves time. The municipality is now able to get all relevant documents to the council multiple times a day with just the press of a button”
In addition to Hardenberg, apparently there are 20 other Dutch municipalities that are involved in a test project to implement a digita reader as well.
Pretty cool idea. Imagine…a progressive government. Who would have thunk it! 
I knew there was a reason I loved The Netherlands!
Actually I have to admit, I assumed digital readers were more of a personal tool for reading books and newspapers like the 1,000+ publications you get on PressDisplay on the iRex Digital Reader (and soon Polymer Vision’s Readius). I didn’t really see digital readers as office tools. I guess I’m not as progressive as I thought I was.
Well done Hardenberg! I love the idea and can’t wait to hear how your trial progresses. Meanwhile, I’m off to see about getting digital readers for all our management meetings at NewspaperDirect.
