Books Are for Use?

SUMMARY

Although reading remains a popular leisure activity and reader's advisory is experiencing a resurgence in public libraries, encouragement of independent reading and the culture of the book have declined in academic libraries. This paper is a personal perspective on the reasons for this decline, a few exceptions to the trend, and possible strategies and resources to reemphasize independent reading. Subtopics include book reviewing, popular or browsing collections, reader's advisory, cultural and institutional changes, the relationship between bookstores and libraries, the relationship between print and electronic resources, and the changing role of the bibliographer.

Key Words:

• Academic libraries
• reading
• popular collections
• reader's advisory
• bookstores
• bibliographers