Login

Publications  •  Project Statistics

Glossary  •  Schools  •  Disciplines
People Search: 
   
Title/Abstract Search: 

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.

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

Advisors and Advisees Graph

generating graph, please reload

Students under Susan Roman

ADVISEES:
- None

COMMITTEESHIPS:
- None