Abstract

The paper focuses on the role of public libraries as a place to promote reading. It reflects upon how the changes in the world of books and reading, through the influence of technology, can affect the development of the traditional library function. Also the mediating role of the library in the digital age and the strengthening of training and education as essential library functions are discussed. The argument is supported by conclusions drawn from Territorio Ebook, a research project on the digital readout made in Spain with the library as a dynamic axis.

Abstract

Reading promotion is one of the traditional activities in libraries, with the aim of presenting reading as a leisure alternative. Taking into account the social commitment of libraries, these promotions should also be a vehicle to train critical and competent readers, something that has been largely forgotten as librarians focus on the playful nature of reading to attract users. Reading promotion activities would benefit by including information about the possibilities that literary texts offer regarding questions that concern us, therefore transforming the promotion of reading into an authentic socio-educational intervention.

Abstract

The public library and the promotion of reading is still an indissoluble tandem, meaning the library has a large responsibility for the promotion and dissemination of authors and their works. The goals of these cultural activities must be explicit and clearly defined, and must offer an added value as a public service with social impact. They do not have to follow the commercial trends or maintain the conventional formats, which sometimes are obsolete. Are current activities in the public library as useful for traditional readers as for the so-called digital natives? Are we prepared to offer activities that are attractive to young people today? In this society, characterized as the knowledge, global, multicultural, digital, 2.0 society, are public libraries able to defend their policies to promote reading?

Abstract

The article focuses on social networks and their impact on the development of book clubs as a service to the promotion of reading. The views of several authors are presented, based on a document analysis, and the presence of book clubs in the social network Facebook is examined, listing their characteristics and some examples of such groups. Some ideas are offered for procedures libraries can follow to configure this type of services.

Abstract

Description of an institutional blog, created by the library of the Colmenarejo campus of the University Carlos III of Madrid. The aim of the blog is to promote reading among the university population. After first assessing the potential of this participative digital medium for encouraging the use of literature collections, the article describes the steps taken by the library in this campaign that include acquisitions, exhibitions and book reviews posted to the blog.

Abstract

With the development of information and communication technologies, particularly with regards to the Internet, the needs of the public and the ways in which they can access information have changed. The Web is changing the role of traditional libraries and that of librarians, and we see how the future of libraries is questioned more and more every day. In this paper, we discuss the need to redefine public library services and to understand libraries as social centres rather than cultural ones. Public libraries must strive to become meeting points for learning and social inclusion. In order to accomplish this, it is necessary to assume new work profiles and to shape and redefine the workforce of librarians. Only in this way will the public library be able to have social impact and validity as a relevant service in current society.

Abstract

The process of adaptation to the Bologna process undergone by Spanish universities only provides for reading skill as a transversal or cross-cutting competency of a basic instrumental nature within the framework of development of generic competencies. It is, however, essential to achieve said reading skill at university; this consists of the development and strengthening of voluntary reading behaviours, generating lifelong reading habits. Although it may seem surprising, the data obtained from the study of a significant sample of Spanish and Portuguese students reflect that a number of university students lack reading habits or do not read voluntarily. The data obtained reaffirm the fact that educational institutions and university libraries must offer resources and services aimed at promoting reading, with the goal of strengthening the reading skills of university students.

Abstract

Genette introduced and defined the concept of paratext in 1987, and applied studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of this methodological approach. However, reviewing the scientific literature shows a lack of studies of a paratext that is essential to the promotion of reading on social networks: public virtual epitext. The first aim of this paper is to review and analyze the scientific literature about virtual epitext. Next, we propose lines of research to advance the promotion of books and reading on social networks. Finally, we show the need to broaden the virtual epitext concept in order to analyze internet-related changes in the dissemination of books and reading.