How we missed the boat: reading scholarship and the field of LIS
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the reasons for the gradual extinction of reading scholarship in Library and Information Science (LIS) departments and to identify three problematic areas accounting for its dropping prestige: paradigmatic conflicts, the influence of the corporate university and low awareness of the potential of reading research. It also proposes possible solutions to each problem.
Design/methodology/approach
Close reading and analysis of an extensive selection of sources with novel conceptualization and critical perspectives.
Findings
The information science paradigm, which has dominated LIS, is not sufficient to accommodate reading research. The information science model has a detrimentally restrictive effect on reading scholarship. Library science, which should be considered an autonomous discipline rather than an appendix of information science, is more conducive to the study of reading. Non-specialization-based academic hiring to increase values-based diversity in LIS through a larger influx of reading scholars is advocated.
Originality/value
Reading scholarship, unduly deemed “old-fashioned”, or euphemistically “traditional”, is one of the most potent areas of academic inquiry, to which LIS scholars are perfectly positioned to make a unique contribution. Reading research in LIS has great merit irrespective of its connection to information and technology; a set of evaluative questions to determine the quality of reading scholarship is introduced. Using a case study, the paper illustrates the potential of reading research for interdisciplinary connections, community partnerships and the enrichment of LIS education and professional practices. An honest look at one of the most exciting academic fields, regrettably neglected by LIS.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The article highlights were presented at the 100th conference of the Association for Library and Information Science Education (ALISE), Chicago, January 28, 2015, in fulfilment of the requirements for the inaugural Connie Van Fleet Award for Research Excellence in Public Library Services to Adults (www.alise.org/alise-connie-van-fleet-award) received by the article author. The author wholeheartedly thanks the NLW reviewers and editors for their constructive, thoughtful and supportive comments on the earlier draft of the article.
Citation
Dali, K. (2015), "How we missed the boat: reading scholarship and the field of LIS", New Library World, Vol. 116 No. 9/10, pp. 477-502. https://doi.org/10.1108/NLW-01-2015-0007
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2015, Emerald Group Publishing Limited