Library, library, make me a match: Impact of form-based readers' advisory on academic library use and student leisure reading

Abstract

Staff from the Access and Information Services (AIS) department at the University of Minnesota Libraries developed several readers' advisory services to promote student engagement. One project was a Book Matchmaking service, for which users completed a web form and were given reading suggestions owned by the libraries. A brief survey was distributed to users of the service during the fall of 2016 to assess impact. The resulting data made a strong argument for further readers' advisory activities in academic libraries, as libraries and users benefit equally. Participating in the service encouraged positive engagement with the library and encouraged leisure reading.