Recommends leisurely reading for teachers: biographies on St. Augustine and Charles Lindbergh; novels by Edwidge Danticat, Kate Chopin, and Velma Allis; Edward Tufte's three volumes on the visual presentation of information; Jean Vanier's "Becoming Human;" the Harry Potter series, and Michael Tolkin's novel "The Player." (MLH)

Discusses bibliographical and historical methods for discovering popular reading habits of past communities and presents a case study of the popular reading habits in Ulster between 1700 and 1900. Collectors of popular literature are discussed, and a definition of popular literature is suggested. (14 references) (LRW)

Napoleon Bonaparte had both a personal and national interest in books, and he exerted a tremendous influence on the country's libraries during his 16 years as leader of France. In addition to collecting books for his personal libraries (including a traveling library that he took with him on his campaigns), he instituted an accelerated program for…

This paper examines the Kalamazoo Ladies' Library Association during the 25-year period in the last half of the 19th century when the association formed a Reading Circle, held Social Meetings, and finally established a Ladies' Library Club. The Reading Circle met weekly and bi-weekly between 1861-1868; the Social Meetings took place once a month…

In 1804, Lewis and Clark and a band of adventurers called the Corps of Discovery embarked on one of the great expeditions in history, the exploration of the newly purchased Louisiana Territory. Much of their time was spent on the Missouri River. Two hundred years later, four friends follow Lewis and Clark's path up the Missouri. Their journey…

This study assessed the readability of popular print material (newspapers, magazines, and books) published in 1920. Selected passages from these books and articles were analyzed using the Flesch Reading Ease test and other, more theoretically interesting and relevant, readability formulas. Results indicated that "highbrow" publications…

Addresses social and cultural changes of reading in Russia: (1) changes in cultural hierarchy; (2) changes in reader behavior; (3) declining importance of classic literature; and (4) rise of mass culture and its effects. Tables present information on the genre of books that were best sellers and books borrowed from Russian libraries. (JMV)

Discusses the transformation of reading and libraries in Poland due to shifts in its political and economic life since 1989. Changes include transition of publishing from a monopoly state enterprise to a market economy, and development of mass media which is threatening the disappearance of traditionalism held in public libraries. (Author/JMV)

A study explored the debate over comic books and children in the 1950s, addressing the communication role of comic books in forming a new community of comic book fans during that period. Using E.C. (Educational Comics) comic books as a case study, the conventions of the comic books, correspondence between producers and consumers, and articles by…

Discusses the history of literature-based reading programs, including the early history, growth of libraries and recreational reading, individualized reading, emergent literacy, reading aloud, whole language literature-based reading programs, teacher education, and the future. (SR)

Two studies focused on children's reading but employed very different procedures and techniques. The first study examined the link between the levels of children's reading comprehension and the quantity of reading they did. Subjects, 198 children chosen at random from years 5, 6, and 7 of a single elementary school in Adelaide, Australia,…

The rapid increase in the number of books published in the United States, especially during the past decade, has been the subject of much comment. Statistics are collected regularly by the trade papers, and these figures give the number of books for each year in each of several well-defined classes. There are at the present time 24 classes: as…

Examines reading habits of Estonians with studies dating back to the 1960s and discusses the impact of the printed word on culture. Focuses on changes since the Estonian's transition to the market economy: (1) reading has become casual and less frequent; (2) literary preferences have shifted; and (3) smaller home libraries have increased the need…

Examines Margaret Edwards' contribution to young adult services against the backdrop of contemporary ideas and practices. The following issues of young adult librarianship are discussed: Edwards and young adult literature; the balance between readers' advisory and reference services; and the role of the young adult librarian. (JLB)

The importance of reading in the lives of children demands that teachers, librarians, and parents give careful attention to the selection of books from which children may make their choices. The purpose of this bibliography is to acquaint adults and children with the wide range of interesting subjects and readable styles of literature which are…