Reader development in New Zealand public libraries.

• Author: Darling, Vicki
• Position: Report

Reader development and advice continue to be regarded as core business for public libraries. This paper reports the findings and conclusions of a survey investigating the veracity of this assumption in public library services throughout New Zealand. It is concluded that New Zealand lacks directed strategic thinking about reader development, and that there should be a focus on it to ensure a consistently high level of service throughout the country's public libraries. Edited version of a paper presented at the Reading Critical conference, State Library of Victoria 11-12 April 2008.

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Reading for leisure is undoubtedly one of the most popular recreational activities in New Zealand and libraries a main source of reading matter. This is borne out by the 2003 Statistics New Zealand and the Ministry for Culture and Heritage survey of cultural activities and spending in New Zealand (1) which identified as first on the list, at 41 per cent, the purchase of books. This was closely followed by the use of libraries, with 39 per cent of the population visiting a library over a four week period. It is not surprising therefore, that 'supporting the pure enjoyment of reading' is listed as one of the 'four important roles' public libraries play in the New Zealand community on the Metronet * sponsored nzlibaries.com website. (2) Supporting this, in an Australian article, Conlon, Forsyth and Jamieson state

Libraries have a crucial role to play in the reading which permeates our society. This is not simply through the provision of materials to read, but in encouraging people to be adventurous with their reading, whether of fiction or nonfiction. A visit to a library provides much potential for reading experiences whether we have an author clearly in mind, or intend to browse to see what inspires us at the time. Many readers are self directed, while other readers need a little encouragement to help with their decision making. (3) It is therefore a reasonable expectation that anyone using a public library will get advice and ideas on what to read for their pleasure. Reader development (also called readers advicory) is the term given to this particular public library service the way to 'give people the chance to get more out of their reading'. (4)

The recent Public libraries of New Zealand: a strategic framework 2006 to 2016 (5) identified the 'encouragement of the joy of reading for pleasure and recreation' as a role of public libraries. However, the emphasis of the strategic directions is upon information and digital developments--reader development is otherwise invisible. This is in great contrast to the UK government's Framework for the future: libraries, learning and information in the next decade (6) which places 'the promotion of reading at the heart of libraries' purpose'.

Reader development survey in New Zealand public libraries

Providing reader advice and assisting reader development are two key roles for public libraries. However they have been neglected over the years, to the extent of little Australian or New Zealand material being available in this area. (7) With a renewed interest in reader development services in libraries in the UK, US and Australia and a paucity of information on this topic in New Zealand, a survey was developed and emailed to all New Zealand public library managers in 2007 in an attempt to discover the character of reader development in their libraries. The survey comprised questions about reader development strategies, staffing and planning documents. Twenty eight surveys were returned--9 from large metropolitan libraries (serving populations over 50,000), 7 from medium sized metropolitan / district libraries and 12 from small libraries (serving populations under 30,000). Although this represents less than half the 72 local authority library services, it nevertheless offers insight into reader development in New Zealand public libraries. This paper reports the findings of the survey and provides recommendations for further development.

Survey results and discussion

Reader development documentation

Reader development services in New Zealand public libraries are relatively poorly documented.

* Metronet was the association of New Zealand public libraries serving populations of 50,000 or more. It is being disbanded in favour of a new Association of Public Library Managers.

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Only 15 of the 28 respondents reported a definition of reader development. For example

* promoting the joy and rewards of reading to the community we service through making our collections accessible and appealing and our staff willing and able to affirm this with knowledge and expertise. Developing and affirming a reading culture in our communities is intrinsic to one of our key roles ... ie to support a learning community and encourage personal enrichment.

* services and assistance that promote and encourage reading, whether for leisure or study.

* extending the reading experience through engaging the reader with a variety of reading opportunities.

* assistance to our users to facilitate access to information and to the world's literature via printed media, digital and nontraditional sources. We believe in fostering and providing facilities to support independent opportunities for lifelong learning and literacy.

* reader development for us is anything that involves taking reading / literacy to our customers either within the library or out in the community--with the aim of encouraging engagement with books/words and to promote the joy of reading.

Similarly, only seven libraries have it specified in the strategic or annual plan (however several libraries, in particular the smaller rural library services, do not yet have strategic plans). Four other libraries indicated that although reader development was not mentioned explicitly, it was implied in the documentation and that, for example, it 'underpins all our activities'. Where reader development is articulated in the planning documentation, it still tends to be at a very broad level. For example

* ... aspire to provide the community with a professional library service which encourages a joy of reading, the pursuit of knowledge, and enriches lives; all in a safe and accessible environment.

* ... build a city wide learning for life environment.

* contributes to district literacy which enables all community members to read and to take an active role in society and the democratic process. Encourages participation in lifelong learning and fosters interest in a wide range of subjects. Provides access to information and resources. Increases use of information technology.

* ... inspire, engage and inform communities by encouraging the development of a reading society which values creative imaginations and enquiring minds.

* ways in which we'll respond to customers include ... improving the skills of our staff so we can continue to meet the changing needs and interests of customers.

To be able to plan services and measure achievement in reader development, it must be clearly visible in the library's strategic documentation. Developing a reader development framework along the model of the UK East Midlands regional reader development strategy (8) would be a major asset in both planning services and reporting achievements.

The East Midlands strategy defines reader development and specifies that--and provides details on how--they will

* widen participation in reading

* increase people's confidence and enjoyment in reading

* open up reading choices

* offer opportunities for people to share their reading experiences

* raise the status of reading as a creative activity

* continue to build on their achievements as a region.

In terms of identifying who provides reader development in New Zealand libraries, only 14 libraries have it specified in job descriptions. Frequently this was limited to specific positions eg recreation librarian, young adult/youth librarian, or information services librarian. In one instance reader development is implied in the job descriptions under the customer service aspect. Another specified it in all staff positions and yet another library in all frontline positions.

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Libraries need to be clear about whose role it is to provide reader development. Is it just the team leader or do the circulation staff...