Reading and Reader Development: The Pleasure of Reading

Citation

Freeman, M. (2005), "Reading and Reader Development: The Pleasure of Reading", New Library World, Vol. 106 No. 5/6, pp. 295-296. https://doi.org/10.1108/03074800510595922

Yet another well‐presented, timely and workmanlike production from the CILIP publishing arm that will prove of interest and value to the LIS profession at large and to reader development workers and school librarians in particular. The three experienced authors (at the time all from the fine School of Information Studies of the University of Central England in Birmingham) make excellent authoritative and lucid contributions covering broadly the role of books and reading; presenting case studies; and giving good clear overview of reader development generally. Despite the internet's apparent hegemony, reading for pleasure and information clings on undiminished; indeed it is undergoing a substantial renaissance in our lives – witness the burgeoning bookshops in every town, the growing literary prizes, the numerous DCMS/DfES initiatives in this area.

Judith Elkin provides a thoughtful overview of the reader and the joys of reading, selecting books to read, methods to encourage reading, and the vital role of libraries in all of this. In a later chapter, she also deals authoritatively and clearly with the multicultural aspects of reading within British society today and the role of books and libraries in shaping our attitudes towards multiculturalism.

Briony Train's chapter on “Reading: an international focus” uses the IFLA 2002 Reading Survey to give an excellent picture of reading research and reader development in 18 countries, ranging from Norway to Botswana.

Debbie Denham's clearly written chapter on the UK focus for reading outlines well the present infrastructure within the UK – both governmental and private sector – established to encourage, support and develop reading and literacy. The rise of Reading Groups, National Year of Reading and its associated campaign, Bookstart for Babies, and a host of other innovative and well targeted initiatives underline the vigour and durability of the “Reading Renaissance” in this country. Interestingly, she quotes Readman's observation that publishers have a surprising lack of understanding of their reading market and have had their eyes opened to the possibilities that libraries provide in terms of information about who reads what and why.

So, an interesting and well written book posing some hard questions to the LIS profession – not least, how to make libraries and reading more relevant to the “excluded groups” within our society; how to train our staff in reader development work and how to harness the internet's vast potential for libraries in this field of professional endeavour. Good, concise references, a clear, helpful index and high standards of printing and layout make this book a pleasure to read. All in all, a worthy and welcome addition to the professional literature.