What are people spending their time on? Is it value added community service? Increasing political activism? Attending worship services? No, people are spending more time on the highly addictive activity of mindless scrolling. Time spent watching TV also increased. Last year, the average American spent 10 times more time watching television than reading.²

Who is not reading? The results from Pew Research’s latest study yields few surprises. Adults without a high school diploma is the group who is least likely to have read a book. More than a quarter of people older than 50 haven’t read a book in the past year. Those with incomes under $30,000 annually are three times as likely not have read a book in the last 12 months.³

Libraries and reading are synonymous for many. The general public already links reading with libraries. We librarians need to extol the merits of reading wherever we go. We need to be the unapologetic champions of reading.

Many lament our changing society. People feel more isolated in a time of hyper social connection. The achievement gap continues to grow in spite of innovative new teaching approaches. Income disparities are growing. People spend an increasing amount of time scrolling through feeds on their phone and less and less time with literature.

And the results? A nation where mental illness is on the rise, where opioid use is epidemic, where both teens and senior citizens feel more alone, where social isolation is growing.

It’s time for libraries to re-embrace the “books” brand and loudly shout the benefits of reading. It may not be a magical panacea, but it is an actionable step we can take to improve society’s plight. Below are a few facts to help you spread the word on reading’s importance:

• Reading reduces stress. Just six minutes of reading will cut anxiety levels more than listening to music or going for a walk.⁴
• Reading increases literacy. The U.S. Department of Education found the more students read for fun on their own time, the higher their reading scores.⁵
• Reading increases empathy. Studies show reading literary fiction increases a reader’s ability to understand what others are thinking and feeling.⁶

The American Library Association has a long history of advocating for reading. National Library Week was sparked by a 1957 survey found that only 17 percent of Americans were currently reading a book.⁷ ALA launched the READ campaign in 1985. In recent years, we have taken a slight step away from this priority – talking about how libraries transform our lives. We are redefining the library as a 21st century technology resource, promoting the many other services libraries provide. It may be time to shift back to emphasizing reading as priority number one.

Resources

1. “Analysis | Leisure Reading in the U.S. Is at an All-time Low.” The Washington Post. June 29, 2018. Accessed September 23, 2018. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2018/06/29/leisure-reading-in-the-u-s-is-at-an-all-time-low/?utm_term=.d83d51a0d974.
2. Ibid.
3. Perrin, Andrew. “Who Doesn’t Read Books in America?” Pew Research Center. March 23, 2018. Accessed September 23, 2018. http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2018/03/23/who-doesnt-read-books-in-america/.
4. “Reading ‘can Help Reduce Stress’.” The Telegraph. March 30, 2009. Accessed September 23, 2018. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/health/news/5070874/Reading-can-help-reduce-stress.html.
5. “Facts about Children’s Literacy.” National Education Association. Accessed September 23, 2018. http://www.nea.org/grants/facts-about-childrens-literacy.html.
6. Chiaet, Julianne. “Novel Finding: Reading Literary Fiction Improves Empathy.” Scientific American. October 04, 2013. Accessed September 23, 2018. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/novel-finding-reading-literary-fiction-improves-empathy/.
7. “’Wake Up and Read’ to ‘Libraries Lead’.” American Libraries Magazine. February 26, 2018. Accessed September 23, 2018. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2018/03/01/national-library-week-60th-anniversary-libraries-lead/.

The post Shout It From the Rooftops: Reading Is Fundamental! first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

• Results published in August from the National Endowment for the Art’s Annual Arts Basic Survey cited a decline in reading for pleasure.[1]

• Pew Survey Shows Adult Reading in Decline: New Pew survey finds small declines in reading across all formats.[2]

• Only 51 percent of children said they love or like reading books for fun, compared to 58 percent in 2012 and 60 percent in 2010, and reading enjoyment declines sharply after age eight, according to Scholastic’s The State of Kids & Reading.[3]

Statistical reports are further distributed through secondary sources with pointed headlines like:

• The long, steady decline of literary reading[4]
• Study: The Number of Teens Reading for Fun Keeps Declining[5]

As disappointed as librarians might be, we must realize there are opportunities and challenges for us. Opportunities exist because we know there is much good in reading for everyone. Reading has many benefits—many of which are documented in scientific studies: reducing stress, improving sleep, increasing vocabulary, fostering empathy, increasing concentration, improving memory, and engaging the brain.

As public libraries have rebranded themselves as centers of learning and technology, are they still doing the book thing? Storytime, summer reading, book displays, early literacy programs, and book discussions are still offered in libraries. One of the greatest challenges we face, however, is that our relationship with a patron is not as mandatory as it is with school librarians.  The job we have in front of us becomes even more difficult when school libraries in our community close or they are not adequately staff by certified, degreed librarians. A child is required to attend school, but they are not required to visit the public library. That is why reaching the child requires us to reach the parent.

To foster a long-lasting love of reading in a child, it is critical to get their parents’ involvement. By taking a two-generation approach, libraries can provide opportunities for meeting the needs of children and their parents.

Programs like Every Child Ready to Read supports parents and caregivers with the early literacy development of their children birth to age five. Librarians should also look out in their community to network with other local literacy efforts. Some may be national organizations with local chapters such as Reach Out and Read, an evidence-based program which builds on the unique relationship between parents and medical providers to develop critical early reading skills in children. Books for Babies, an initiative with ALA’s United for Libraries, is a great outreach program to new parents who may not know the many benefits of reading to their newborns.

Public librarians must focus their efforts on early child literacy to foster the love of reading in their communities. If you can reach the parent, you can reach the child. There may be many places where your patrons can get free Wi-Fi, but where are they going to learn to be good readers? If not you, then who?

References

[1] “Arts Data Profile #10 (August 2016) – Results from the Annual Arts Basic Survey (AABS): 2013-2015,” National Endowment for the Arts, August 29, 2016.

[2] Jim Milliot, “Pew Survey Shows Adult Reading in Decline,” Publishers Weekly, October 23, 2016.

[3] “Kids & Family Reading Report, 5^th Edition,” Scholastic, 2015.

[4] Christopher Ingraham, “The long, steady decline of literary reading,” Washington Post, September 7, 2016.

[5] Charlotte Alter, “Study: The Number of Teens Reading for Fun Keeps Declining,” Time, May 12, 2014.

The post Reading Is in Decline: If Not You, Then Who? first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

Everyone has their own style of doing reader’s advisory for children. In our library, one of the first questions we ask children is:”What do you like to do for fun?” The second question is “What do you like to watch on television?” For young children, that usually leads us to the genre that is based on the television or movie characters. However, once you reach “chapter book level” there aren’t as many of those types of books. Now what do we do?

For middle and upper elementary school children, we now ask straight out, “Do you like funny books?” Sometimes a child will mention having read one of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books or that a friend of theirs has read one. That connection is frequently the hook we use to direct them to the Humorous section of books.

If we’re lucky the child will leave the library with a pile of books by some combination of authors including but not limited to Jeff Kinney, Lincoln Peirce, Jon Scieszka, Dav Pilkey, and Tom Angleberger. We encourage our reluctant readers to take at least three books, but we prefer four or five. If at all possible the books are all by different authors.

This push for variety is for different reasons. For the children, we want them to know that it’s okay to not like a book and to try another one. For the parents, we want them to feel comfortable with the idea that something will work. They shouldn’t have to make a “five minutes before the library closes because we need a book for school tomorrow” run because the one book they chose at the library the last time didn’t work. Fortunately for both parents and children, many authors write series of humorous stories. Therefore, if there turns out to be a book that a child likes, there may be several more that are similarly enjoyable. That ray of hope always brightens both groups.

We have an extensive collection of books for a variety of different age levels in the Humorous genres. We have books for the youngest readers through middle school — all of whom enjoy a good laugh. For children just learning to read, Mo Willems’ Elephant & Piggie books are the mainstay of the section. In our chapter book area we have perennial favorites like Captain Underpants and the Time Warp Trio, along with a wide variety of authors all creating hilarious, enjoyable reads for our young patrons. Then we finish up with the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books and the many similar titles published since then for the middle and upper elementary school readers.

Share your humorous books for kids recommendations in the comments.

Melanie A. Lyttle is the Head of Public Services Madison Public Library. You can watch her YouTube channel, Crabby Librarian, at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Rv5GLWsUow. Shawn D. Walsh is the Emerging Services and Technologies Librarian at Madison Public Library.

The post Humorous Books Can Appeal to Reluctant Readers first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

“The BookMatch program launched quietly about two weeks ago. [This quote is from August 2014 – Ed.] It’s completely free: just fill out the online form telling the nice librarians what you like to read, and they’ll come back to you in about a week with a list of five or six recommendations. You can even specify what type of format you prefer (book, ebook, audiobook, or large print)” (Merlan, Village Voice 2014). In addition to filling the requests, the lists are also anonymously posted on the library’s website, allowing other patrons to browse at their own convenience. Among the topics that already exist are:

• Drama/Suspense
• Historical romance
• Great Gatsby read-alikes
• Father and sons
• All kinds of books/no mushy stuff
• SciFi-Fantasy with strong females and diversity

Since the beginning of this program, the 35 librarians who maintain the website have been inundated with patron requests. This has been a successful launch of a new program, and it may actually prove to be too much for just the 35 librarians to complete each list in under a week if it keeps growing in popularity. This watershed moment of customer service shall work as a tableau for public libraries at large.

I began to think of how this may grow while researching this topic. Many public libraries have more items than books. I’m thinking about music, movies, and even periodicals. This program could increase its scope and therefore its ability to accommodate more patrons. It’s an amazing idea that truly comes from the basics of librarianship and adapting to the current times. Haven’t all librarians at one time or another given recommendations based on one book or movie? This is just taking that customer service to a new and more convenient level for patrons who may be living a hectic lifestyle and don’t have the time to browse the stacks.

This is definitely a program that can work in public libraries all over the world. Thanks, New York; you managed to inspire us once again with your indefatigable efforts at cultural programming!

Works Cited

Merlan, Anna. “A Brooklyn Librarian Will Now Make You a Personalized Reading List, and You Don’t Even Have to Put on Pants.” Village Voice. August 26, 2014.  (accessed September 20, 2014)

The post I’ll Tell You What to Read: Online BookMatch Program Connects Readers to New Books first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

This reminded me of one of the public libraries in my town.  I live in Toledo, Ohio and the downtown public library has a rooftop terrace complete with wi-fi,tables, and chairs for the patrons to enjoy.  This is a little different than a pop-up experience on ground level, but is still a wonderful addition to the public space and a great option for Toledo area patrons.  While working there one summer, I spent almost ever lunch break that was not encumbered by rain out on that rooftop reading and eating my lunch.

And then some more good stuff…

Additionally, “The New York Public Library is celebrating the excitement and personal joy of reading with the hashtag #ireadeverywhere. Beginning on Aug. 5, we are asking all of you to join authors, librarians and other readers from all over the world to share your favorite — and unusual — reading spots, along with the hashtag and our handle @nypl, all in an effort to inspire others to pick up a book (or an e-reader) and start their own adventures.” (nypl.org 2014)

Many times when I write about different happenings in the library world, I try to envelop it into my own work environment.  This program is an easy way to get patrons to connect with the library and to other patrons.  It may also inspire some users to check out new spots to read a book, or check out a title that they see in other patrons’  tweets.

In addition to participating with NYPL’s hashtag event, take these ideas to your local libraries and see what sort of response and inspiration come from them.  Getting the community involved via social media is a great way to spread the message about the joys of reading in your town and around the world.

Works Cited

nypl.org. July 20, 2014. http://www.nypl.org/voices/connect-nypl/readeverywhere?utm_campaign=SocialFlow&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=referral (accessed August 25, 2014).

The post Outdoors or Indoors – Anywhere is a Good Place to Read first appeared on Public Libraries Online.