Dissertation Information for Susan Roman NAME: - Susan Roman
DEGREE:
- Ph.D.
DISCIPLINE:
- Library and Information Science
SCHOOL:
- University of Chicago (USA) (1991)
ADVISORS: - Zena Sutherland
COMMITTEE MEMBERS: - Betsy G. Hearne - Michael Groves
MPACT Status: Fully Complete
Title: A study of the reading patterns of children's formula fiction series books in the summer reading programs of an Illinois public library
Abstract: This study tested the hypothesis that children will choose to read only formula fiction series books if they are included in a public library collection. In order to determine factors involved in children's selection of books from a public library collection that contains both high quality books and formula fiction series, three different approaches were used: (1) reading records of 540 children between the ages of 9 and 13 participating in the 1984 and 1988 summer reading programs at the Northbrook (Illinois) Public Library were examined; (2) a frequency analysis of circulation records from 1983-84 and 1987-88 of high quality books and formula series books, in hard and soft covers, was conducted; and (3) a random selection of 30 children who participated in the 1984 summer reading program was interviewed for underlying motivation for selecting books to read. From these three approaches, factors such as age and sex of children were also analyzed to determine any effects they might have on the selection of books. SUbstantiation was sought to support or disprove those librarians and others who believe that reading formula fiction series books is a phase or stepping stone in the continuum of reading. Whether books of high quality can have mass appeal
was a major consideration in this study as well. The theory that children will choose to read only formula fiction series books if they are included in a public library collection was not SUbstantiated by the data. While there was an increase in the number of children reading formula series books in 1988 over those in 1984, most children chose to read other books generally of higher quality as well as formula series books in both of those years. The number of youngsters reading formula series books did not taper off with age in either 1984 or 1988. More girls read. formula series books than boys · in both the 1984 and 1988 reading programs. However, the correlation between sex of child and book selection was not significant in 1984 but in 1988 there .was an association •. The study cannot support the idea of stages of reading; the data were not conclusive. Since browsing emerged as the number one reason for selecting books, the attractive covers of the formula series books serve as an enticement for readers. Although Notable Children's Books (see Appendix D) do not circulate as frequently as do paperback formula series books, this study shows that books chosen as Notable Children's Books, and thus of high quality, have circulated at least as well as hardcover formula series books, and supports the theory that high quality literature can have mass appeal. It was determined also that softcover formula series books outcirculated hardcover editions of series books by a large margin.
since there is a recent proliferation of new formula series books and a reissuing and repackaging of older series books, librarians must monitor this publishing trend and its impact on reviewing and selecting library books for children.
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MPACT Scores for Susan Roman A = 0
C = 0
A+C = 0
T = 0
G = 0
W = 0
TD = 0
TA = 0
calculated 2008-01-31 06:15:21
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