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Readers' advisory interactions with immigrant readers

Keren Dali (Faculty of Information, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada)

New Library World

ISSN: 0307-4803

Article publication date: 18 May 2010

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to address a somewhat under‐researched aspect of readers' advisory services in public libraries in North America, namely, readers' advisory for immigrant readers, with a particular emphasis on the readers' advisory interaction/interview.

Design/methodology/approach

The argument draws on the review of relevant scholarly and professional literature and the author's experience in working with immigrant readers.

Findings

It is suggested that public libraries in North America are not actively involved in providing readers' advisory services to immigrant readers aside from developing and maintaining multilingual collections. This trend in readers' advisory practices is clearly reflected in professional and scholarly publications of the field. It is argued that personal interactions with immigrant readers, in the context of the readers' advisory interview, can be an efficient way to engage immigrant readers in the life of the host society, thus fostering their socio‐cultural integration beyond information needs and basic coping skills.

Originality/value

The paper offers practical insights and suggestions for the enhancement of readers' advisory interactions with immigrant readers in public libraries. It also places readers' advisory interactions with immigrant readers in the broader context of readers' advisory practices, public library services to immigrant users, and the theory of readers' advisory interviews.

Keywords

Citation

Dali, K. (2010), "Readers' advisory interactions with immigrant readers", New Library World, Vol. 111 No. 5/6, pp. 213-222. https://doi.org/10.1108/03074801011044089

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2010, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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