Research on the Development of Readers’Advisory Service in American Public Libraries

Abstract

Abstract:

The idea of readers’ advisory service has been implemented for many years in American public libraries since the 1870s. The paper introduces four major stages the service has gone through and discusses the elements promoting such a process, including the support of library association, redefined
role of public library, the emergence of reference resources and the supports from professional librarians. It concludes with prediction of future direction of readers’ advisory service.

Key words: Readers&rsquo, advisory service, American public library, Library service

Zhou Enni,Zhao Junling. Research on the Development of Readers’Advisory Service in American Public Libraries[J]. LIBRARY JOURNAL.

References

[ 1 ] Robert Ellis Lee.Continuing Education for Adults through the American Public Library, 1833-1964[M]. Chicago: American Library Association,1966: 57-60.

[ 2 ] J u r i s D i l e v k o , C a n d i c e F C M a g o w a n .Readers’advisory Service in North American Public Librares 1870-2005: a history and critical analysis[M]. 2007: 117.

[ 3 ] Bill Crowley. Rediscovering the History of Readers Advisory Service[J]. Public Libraries, January/February 2005, 44(1): 37-41.

[ 4 ] 徐松. 美国公共图书馆的读物咨询服务[J]. 江苏图书馆学报, 2002(6): 54-56.

[ 5 ] 陈书梅. 从台湾阅读推广活动之现况谈公共图书馆之阅读指导服务[J]. 图书馆建设, 2006(5):78-81.

[ 6 ] Elsie A Rogers Halliday Okobi. Library Services for Adults in the 21st Century[M]. Santa Barbara:Libraries Unlimited, 2013: 99-114.

[ 7 ] 张丽. 1876-1976年美国图书馆未成年人服务发展历史研究[J]. 中国图书馆学报, 2011(1):93-101.

[ 8 ] Jessica E Moyer. Readers’advisory Service a s R e f e r e n c e . S e r v i c e s [ M / O L ] . [ 2 0 1 6 - 0 6 -03]. http: //school. iranpl. ir/R1/Content/Files/moshavere/0016%20Moyer. pdf.

[ 9 ] Joyce G Saricks, Nancy Brown. Readers’advisory Service in the public library[M]. Chicago: American Library Association, 1989: 3.

[10] Adult Reading Round Table[EB/OL]. [2016-05-29].http: //arrtreads.org.

[11] ARRT&ILA Readers’ Advisory Service Award[EB/OL]. [2016-05-29]. https: //www.ila. org/about/awards/readers-advisory-service-award.

[12] 周旖. 英美公共图书馆的社会角色设计[J]. 图书情报知识, 2014(1): 52-61.

[13] Mec Clure, Charles R. Planning and role setting for public libraries: a manual of options and procedures[R]. American Library Association, 1987.

[14] GoodReads, Shelfari, or LibraryThing? Or something else[EB/OL]. [2016-05-29]. https: //www.goodreads.com.

[15] Readers’advisory Survey 2013[EB/OL]. [2016-05-29]. https: //www.ebscohost.com/uploads/novelist/pdf/ReadersAdvisorySurveyReport_Final. pdf.

[16] Readers’ Advisory Service[EB/OL]. [2016-05-29].http: //terms.naer. edu. tw/detail/1679463/.

[17] Readers Advisory Committee[EB/OL]. [2016-05-20]. http: //www.ala. org/rusa/sections/codes/section/codescomm/codesreadadv/codesreadadv.

[18] Neal Wyatt.Redefining RA: An RA Big Think[J].Library Journal Archive Content. 2007, 132(12):40-43.

[19] Joyce G Saricks.The Readers’Advisory Guide to Genre Fiction[M]. American Library Association,2009: 1-2.

[1]	Zhu Guodong (Yunnan Minzu University Library). The Practice and Insights of Data Services in University Libraries: Drawing on International Experiences and Constructing Localized Pathways [J]. Libraly Journal, 2025, 44(410): 74-82.
[2]	Ye Dan1, Wang Jingwen2, Lang Jiebin3 (1 Hangzhou Public Library, 2 North China University of Technology Library, 3 China Metrology University Library). Exploration and Future Reflection on the Practice of “Reading Therapy” Services: Summary of the 2024 Academic Symposium on “Reading and Mental Health” [J]. Libraly Journal, 2025, 44(408): 48-54.
[3]	Ke Ping (Department of Information Resource Management, Business School of Nankai University). Planning for High-Quality Development: Strategic Transformation of Public Libraries During the 15th Five-Year Plan Period [J]. Libraly Journal, 2025, 44(408): 4-11.
[4]	Zhou Gang, Zhu Wenjing, Zhang Lei (Shanghai Library). Open, Collaborative, and Intelligent: The Future of Libraries: A Summary of the 2024 World Open Library Foundation Conference [J]. Libraly Journal, 2024, 43(404): 77-88.
[5]	Yu Qun (China Soong Ching Ling Foundation) Kuai Dashen (Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences) Zhou Deming (Shanghai Library). Experts’ Viewpoints on “Twenty Years of Public Culture:Review and Prospect” [J]. Libraly Journal, 2024, 43(404): 4-11.
[6]	Xue Fei, Ye Ying ( Zhejiang University Library, National Institute of Intelligent Evaluation andGovernance, Fudan University, International Joint Informatics Laboratory, Nanjing University). An Essay on the Innovation of Librarianship under the Waveof Generative AI [J]. Libraly Journal, 2024, 43(403): 79-83.
[7]	Lu Zudan, Liu Yulin, Zhong Qingzhang (Hohai University Library). Bi-directional Flow Dataset Between the Open-Stack and Closed-Stack Books at Hohai University Library in 2022 [J]. Libraly Journal, 2024, 43(396): 118-121.
[8]	Gao Chunling, Zhang Xizhuo, Shen Wenjun, Qu Youyang ( School of Man¬agement, Liaoning Normal University, Library of Liaoning Vocational College of Medicine). The Comparative Analysis of IMLS’s Strategic Plan 2018– 2022 and Strategic Plan 2022–2026 and Thinking on the Development of Libraries in China [J]. Libraly Journal, 2024, 43(394): 12-21.
[9]	Quan Xiaoting, Shu Man(School of Economics and Management, South China Normal University). Analysis and Enlightenment of Characteristic Services forTeenagers in American Public Libraries: Taking the NationalMedal for Museum and Library Services as an Example [J]. Libraly Journal, 2023, 42(391): 62-70.
[10]	Jia Nan, Gong Jiaoteng, Hong Fanglin (School of Public Administration, Xiangtan University). Research on Integrated Services for Dyslexia in Public Libraries: Based on the Interpretation of the Specifications of Public Library Service for Persons with Dyslexia [J]. Libraly Journal, 2023, 42(389): 55-67.
[11]	Zhou Gang (Shanghai Library). A New Approach to Intelligent Library: The Exploration and Reflection of Yunhan Intelligent Library Service Platform of Shanghai Library [J]. Libraly Journal, 2023, 42(388): 65-73.
[12]	Fang Hong (Hangzhou Public Library) Liu Wei (Zhejiang Library). Reflection and Discussion on Library Service Philosophy [J]. Libraly Journal, 2023, 42(388): 21-25.
[13]	Zhou Yulin, Chen Fengping, Wang Yang (Hangzhou Public Library). Review and Reflection on the Library Service Manifesto: Based on IFLA Trend Report Analysis [J]. Libraly Journal, 2023, 42(388): 14-20.
[14]	Chen Li (Sichuan University) Wu Jianzhong (University of Macau Library) Cheng Huanwen (School of Information Management, Sun Yat-sen University)Zhou Deming (Shanghai Library) Ni Xiaojian (Culture Development Center, Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China) Na Yan (Shaoxing Library). Adherence and Pursuit of Library Spirit: Experts’ Viewpoints on the 15th Anniversary of the Release of Library Service Manifesto [J]. Libraly Journal, 2023, 42(388): 4-13.
[15]	Li Zhuozhuo, Huang Jie, Jin Lei ( School of Society, Soochow University, Kun Shan Library). The Practices of LibQual+TM and Its Sinicization Process [J]. Libraly Journal, 2023, 42(381): 51-61.