Survey of Reading Promotion of Public Libraries in China

Abstract

Reading promotion is a key service of the public library. This article investigates the current state of reading promotion in public libraries in China. There were 86 public libraries chosen as a sample. The research finds that Chinese libraries have been paying more and more attention to the importance of reading promotion. A variety of reading promotion services and programs are being carried out, including reading festivals, booklists, reading contests, reading communication and lectures on reading. Public libraries tend to apply more towards the digital platform when promoting reading. Public libraries have cooperated with NGO and business fields to promote reading. This study suggests more can be done to improve the service, including improving the librarian's knowledge of genre books, enhancing reading communication, deeply investigating measurement of reading promotion, and the influence of contracting out reading programs.