Readers, Reading, and Librarians

Starred review from June 15, 2001
Editor Katz has assembled a readable, thoughtful, and thought-provoking collection of articles on various aspects of books, reading, and libraries, with a primary focus on reader's advisory services. Although most of the usual reader's advisory suspects are represented here (among them are Catherine Sheldrick Ross on "Making Choices: What Readers Say About Choosing Books To Read for Pleasure" and Kathleen de la Pe a McCook on "The Meaning of Reading: Fiction and Public Libraries"), Katz has also recruited non-nationally known librarians to discuss the topic. California State University-Chico librarian Jim Dwyer ("Books Are for Use? Keeping the Faith in Reading") offers suggestions for encouraging college students to increase their recreational and independent reading. In "Flow: The Benefits of Pleasure Reading and Tapping Readers' Interests," Cathleen Towey, director of adult services, Port Washington Public Library, NY, explains how librarians can develop passive and active reader's advisory services to help adults find books that will increase their pleasure in reading. Other papers include the pluses and minuses of "best lists," two articles on children's books, and Katz's heartfelt plea for a renewed emphasis on providing readers with the best in reading. All in all, a stellar collection. Highly recommended for librarians interested in the theory as well as the practice of reader's advisory services, as well as a useful text for the few reader's advisory courses taught in I(nformation) schools these days. Nancy Pearl, Washington Ctr. for the Book, Seattle

Copyright 2001 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.