Richard Maker

Bio: Richard Maker is an academic researcher. The author has contributed to research in topics: Publishing. The author has an hindex of 1, co-authored 1 publications receiving 16 citations.

Finding what you’re looking for: a reader-centred approach to the classification of adult fiction in public libraries

Abstract: This article argues that the classification of adult fiction according to ‘genre’ in public libraries causes more confusion than clarification. Whilst the system purports to model itself on bookstore design the reality is that the actual arrangement is quite different. In the bookstore model, genre is a marketing category and not a literary category as it is currently used in many Western Australian public libraries. The use of a genre system also alienates many readers, with good reason, as the nature of the system is ambiguous. The adoption of a ‘reader-centred’ method for adult fiction classification would mean that the library collection was more accessible because the underlying principles are easier to understand.

Selecting fiction as part of everyday life information seeking

Abstract: – This study seeks to examine, from the viewpoint of 12 adult fiction readers who are members of book clubs, how they go about selecting fiction books to borrow from the public library., – Each participant took part in an individual, semi‐structured, face‐to‐face interview. Using Williamson's Ecological Model of Information Seeking and Use as the conceptual framework, the study examined the role that fiction readers' “internal environments” and “external contexts” played in their book choices., – The selection of fiction books at the public library occurred, to a large extent, outside it. Fiction books were selected as part of everyday life information seeking, influenced by study participants' personal characteristics and circumstances as well as sources from their everyday lives, which typically included family, friends, book club and the mass media. While the public library was the main means by which study participants obtained their fiction books, it was not the first source to which they turned for ideas on what to read., – The study moves from a preoccupation of readers' actions at the public library to examine, more holistically, how everyday life information sources influence their choices of fiction books at the public library. It highlights the purposive and serendipitous dimensions of book selections and also underscores the importance of recognizing trust as a determining factor in book selection.

Readers' search strategies for accessing books in public libraries

Abstract: The aim of this study was to survey typical search tactics used by readers in public libraries. We analyzed whether demographic factors, the frequency of library visits, reading activity and the type of books read were associated with major search tactics. The data consisted of 1000 respondents of mail questionnaire collected in 2010 as a stratified random sample of the Finnish population aged 15 to 79 years. The most often used search tactics for accessing books in public libraries were known book or author search together with browsing search. The use of known item search strategy was associated with high educational level and the amount of non-fiction books read. The use of browsing search strategy was associated with the frequency of library visits, gender and the amount of fiction books read.

Reading infrastructures in the contemporary city : a study of three public libraries in Sydney

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How Adult Fiction Readers Select Fiction Booksin Public Libraries: a Study of Information-Seeking in Context

Abstract: This study examines from the viewpoint of twelve adult fiction readers, who are members of book clubs, how they go about selecting fiction books to borrow from the public library. The methodological approach taken was a qualitative one in that each participant took part in an individual, semi-structured, face-to-face interview. The central premise of the study was that information seeking occurs in a context and must therefore be understood as influenced by context. In attempting to understand how adult fiction readers select their books then, the study examined a variety of contextual factors that influenced book choice. Personal characteristics such as mood and lifestyle were found to have an impact on book selections. Family and friends, and peers from book clubs, also played important roles in participants’ book choices. The mass media, including the Internet, radio, television and the printed press also impacted participants’ choice of books. Radio, in particular, was a popular source among participants. The study also examined the role that the public library played in fiction readers’ book choices. It was found that while the public library provided a range of readers’ advisory tools to assist fiction readers in their book selections, not all the tools were helpful to the study’s participants. Library staff also played a largely invisible role in participants’ book choices. Implications for public library services are discussed in the study.