Newsletter of the Section on Reading

No. 7 - November, 1998

Welcome from the Section Officers

In order to be more effective, the Section on Reading needs more members. Please consider joining us in our important work of promoting reading and reading research in this digital age. Membership costs only NLG 100 for IFLA members and affiliates. Application forms for new members may be obtained from IFLA Headquarters, c/o Ms Charlotta Brynger, Membership Officer, P.O. Box 95312, 2509 CH The Hague, Netherlands, fax: +31-70-3834827, e-mail: charlotta.brynger@ifla.org. We also can provide information and encouragement. Thank you.

John Y. Cole, Chair
Adele M. Fasick, Secretary-Treasurer

Bangkok Program to Continue International Reading Promotion Theme

International Literacy Day Celebrated on Sept. 8

"Book and Reading Promotion in the Low Countries" Featured at Amsterdam Program Meeting

All three speakers outlined ways in which their organizations work together to promote reading in a small (16 million people) country that has a relatively high literacy rate and an active publishing and bookselling scene (8,000 new book titles a year, 1,600 bookshops). Through videotapes, slides, and their effective presentations, the speakers made it clear that reading promotion has a high priority in The Netherlands and throughout the Low Countries. In the discussion period, the audience also benefited from comments by reading and library promoters from Namibia, Mexico, Poland, Malaysia, Finland, and Thailand.

Standing Committee Meets Twice in Amsterdam; Medium Term Program Revised and Updated

"LITERACY AND READING SERVICE TO CULTURAL AND LINGUISTIC MINORITIES" DISCUSSED AT AMSTERDAM WORKSHOP.

The topics and presenters were: "Expanding the Literacy of Linguistic Minorities," Clara M. Chu, UCLA Department of Education and Information Science, Los Angeles, CA; "Electronic Publishing and Minority Languages: The Contribution to Literacy," Geraint Evans and Jane Del-Pizzo, Department of Library and Information Studies, University of Wales, Aberystwyth, Wales; "Producing and Promoting Children's Books in a Minority Language: The Welsh Experience, 1950-1998," Gwilym Huws, Department of Library and Information Studies, University of Wales, Aberystwyth, Wales; "Building a Literate Environment: Using Oral-Based Reading Materials to Facilitate Literacy," Rebecca Knuth, Department of Information and Computer Studies, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii; "In Librarianship, Professionalism is the Condition for Success," Silva Novljan, National and University Library, Ljubljana, Slovenia; "Literacy in Two Languages: Best of Both Worlds," Maureen White and Judith Marquez, School Library and Information Science Program, University of Houston, Clear Lake, TX, and presented by Maureen White; "From Oral Tradition to Written Culture," by Carlos Aleman Ocampo, Managua, Nicaragua. Mr. Ocampo participated in a panel discussion with Antoinette Correa of Dakar, Senegal and Reading Section member Ivar Haug of Norway. In addition, Heather Fisher, Children's and Young Adult Librarian in Gosford, Australia displayed posters and materials about family literacy and reading promotion projects that she has developed.

Picture not available.
IFLA workshop panelists Antoinette Correa of Senegal, Ivar Haug of Norway and Carlos Aleman Ocampo of Nicaragua.

WORKSHOP PAPERS AVAILABLE.

Copies of the booklet are available on request from the Center for the Book, Library of Congress, 101 Indpendence Ave., SE, Washington, DC 20540-4920, telephone (202) 707-5221, fax (202) 707-0269, e-mail: jcole@loc.gov.

IFLA Section on Reading - 1998-2001 Medium-Term Program

STANDING COMMITTEE MEETS TWICE IN AMSTERDAM; MEDIUM TERM PROGRAM REVISED AND UPDATED.

The chair agreed to prepare the first draft of a brochure, to be published before the next annual conference, that would encourage institutional members to join the Section. Ivar Haug suggested that individual section members work within their own countries and regions to bring the Section to the attention of institutions and to encourage membership.

Another group to be targeted for special appeal is the community of reading researchers around the world. Finally, Section members and others who attend Standing Committee meetings should be certain that their own institutions are members.

Relations with other IFLA units also need to be strengthened. In particular, Jadwiga Kolodziejska suggested closer ties with the Section on Education and Training, noting that an increasing number of library schools give very little curriculum emphasis to reading. It was agreed that Section members would attend the meeting later in the week of the IFLA Working Group on Literacy and would explore ways of coordinating our Section's interest in literacy with the plans of the Working Group.

The chair reported that Lioba Betten, the director of "Books for All," had requested that the Reading Section become a project sponsor. This would not require any financial commitment. The Standing Committee agreed to support this sponsorship pending approval by the Section on Children's Libraries.

The chair reported that he had attended a meeting in Cairo for a new Unesco-sponsored "Reading for All" program that may have future links with both "Books for All" and the Section's overall program. Finally, at the chair's suggestion, the Standing Committee approved co-sponsorship of a Library of Congress conference in the year 2000 on the history and future of the functions of national libraries. No financial or time commitment is required. The major action item was a discussion and revision of the Section's Medium Term Program and Action plan. (The revised goals and updated program and action plan are outlined on pp.4-5.)

The meeting concluded with a discussion of plans for Section on Reading programs in Bangkok in 1999 and Jerusalem in 2000. It was agreed to have a program in Bangkok, but not a workshop. The program topic will concern reading, literacy, and libraries in Southeast Asia. For Jerusalem in 2000, Shmuel Sever proposed a workshop that would be held off-site at Haifa University. The topic would be literacy problems of Arabic-speaking children. The Standing Committee tentatively agreed to sponsor the workshop. Further discussion was planned for the meeting on 21 August.

The second meeting of the Standing Committee was held on 21 August. In addition to John Cole, Michele Duflos, Shirley Fitzgibbons, Jadwiga Kolodziejska, Valeria Stelmakh, and Adele Fasick, attendees included Eugenia Kefallineou, Greece; Gertrude Kayaga Mulindwa, Botswana; Adolfo Rodreiquez, Mexico; and Ljiljak Sabljak, Croatia. Each individual gave a brief report about reading promotion and research in their country.

Reports were presented on the week's activities since the Standing Committee meeting on 15 August. Adele Fasick reported on the Working Group on Literacy meeting, explaining that the group would be disbanded after their report and recommendations are submitted to the IFLA Professional Board.

A discussion followed concerning how the Standing Committee of the Reading Section could follow up on the work of the group. John Cole agreed to prepare draft guidelines for literacy programs in libraries for committee consideration.

Section members reported that the Section promotion session at the IFLA booth on 19 August was successful. The purpose, raising awareness of the Section and promoting membership, was reinforced by a full-page "advertisement" for Section on Reading membership in IFLA News No. 5. Adele Fasick said that the Children's Section welcomed the Section on Reading's co-sponsorship of the "Books for All" project. She will serve as the Section's representative on the advisory committee.

John Cole reported that the 17 August program on "Book and Reading Promotion in the Low Countries" attracted an audience of 28 people. Several attendees represented institutions that are potential Section members.

Shirley Fitzgibbons presented a brief summary of the Section's workshop on 20 August on "Literacy and Reading Services to Cultural and Linguistic Minorities." About 25 people participated in this successful all-day workshop. It was agreed to produce and distribute a booklet containing the papers that were presented. John and Adele reported on a conversation with IFLA's Carol Henry. She said that one of the papers presented at the workshop was being considered for publication in the IFLA Journal. She also said, in reference to the Section's plans for a workshop in Haifa during the Jerusalem conference in 2000, that all papers must be presented in an IFLA language. Ivar Haug agreed to work with Shmuel Sever on the workshop, which might well include a tour of the Haifa University library.

It was agreed to continue to produce two newsletters a year, in addition to a new membership brochure. Shirley Fitzgibbons will be in charge of a new section in the newsletter that highlights current research.

Valeria Stelmakh reported that the Reading Section had been asked to help sponsor the "Pushkin Library: Books for Russian Libraries" project, a three-year library replenishment program that also seeks "to heighten interest in books and reading in general." The Open Society Institute is the sponsor. The committee approved the Section's involvement, with Valeria serving as our liaison.

Valeria also reported that funding is needed to publish the Vologda conference papers in Russian. The committee voted to contribute $200 of administrative funds toward their publication. (After review of the Section's bank account, the amount was reduced to $150).

Program information for annual conferences also is listed and is updated throughout the year. Publications are listed as they become available. Papers to be presented at a conference are mounted in the Conference section of the website rather than under the Section on Reading. Papers from the 1998 conference are currently available and will continue to be accessible indefinitely.

Members are invited to contact the officers of the Section with suggestions for other information that should be made available throught IFLANET
The Section plans to increase the scope of information available on IFLANET to make it more useful to members. A number of links to other organizations relevant to the work of the Section will be mounted during the next few months.

IFLA SECTION ON READING
1998-2001 MEDIUM-TERM PROGRAM

I. SCOPE

The Section on Reading's goal is to be a focal point for the discussion of the promotion of reading and print culture and for the integration of research about reading with reading promotion and development activities. Issues of concern include: increasing the social awareness of the significance of reading and general literacy, cultural literacy, and illiteracy in different milieus; teaching the encouragement of reading with special emphasis on the younger generation; reader's skills and reading habits; and the effect of audiovisual media on reading and print culture in the new electronic environment. The relationship between reading research and reading promotion is considered very significant in professional terms.

The Section is concerned with a range of activities that affect all types of libraries, library associations, and institutions related to reading and literacy development. It works in cooperation with the IFLA Working Group on Literacy, and has close links with its planning and plans for IFLA's future Core Program on Literacy. It cooperates with other international organizations such as the International Reading Association and UNESCO.

II. GOALS

1. To assume a leadership role in outlining strategies for international campaigns that support reading development.

2. To monitor and promote the dissemination of knowledge and research about reading, literacy, readers, and library patrons.

3. To promote, among librarians, educators, and other cultural agents, a better understanding of reading patterns and literacy problems.

4. To explore various ways of promoting reading and literacy in specific cultural milieus.

5. To emphasize the role of reading in children's development and to outline various approaches and methods that have been used in different countries.

6. To promote membership in the Section in order to increase the Section's effectiveness.

III. ACTION PLAN, 1998-1999

1. To assume a leadership role in outlining strategies for international campaigns that support reading development.

   1.1 To work with national and international reading associations in organizing joint conferences and seminars on related issues, publishing relevant papers, conducting research, and promoting reading in different countries. Closer cooperation is planned with the International Reading Association's International Development in Europe Committee, sponsor of the 1999 European Conference on Reading, and with the International Book Committee, a Unesco advisory body.

   1.2 To work, through IFLANET and with links to other web sites, to serve as a clearinghouse for information about international reading and literacy promotion and research projects and their organizational sponsors.

2. To monitor and promote the dissemination of knowledge and research about reading, literacy, readers, and library patrons.

   2.1 To publish the English and Russian versions of the proceedings of the June 1996 international conference, "Libraries and Reading in Times of Cultural Change," held in cooperation with the IFLA Round Table on Library History.

   2.2 To publish the English and French versions of the proceedings of the June 1998 international conference, "Libraries, Reading, and Publishing in the Cold War," held in cooperation with the IFLA Round Table on Library History.

   2.3 To establish in the Section on Reading newsletter a column citing recent research in relevant areas of concern.

3. To promote, among librarians, educators, and other cultural agents, a better understanding of reading promotion, reading patterns, and literacy problems.
   3.1 To organize at each annual IFLA conference an open session that discusses reading and literacy issues.

   3.2 To participate with the IFLA Library History Round Table and IFLA National Libraries Section in the Library of Congress conference in the year 2000 on national library functions.

4. To explore various ways of promoting reading and literacy in specific cultural milieus.
   4.1 To work with the IFLA Working Group on Literacy as it develops plans for greater IFLA involvement in literacy issues.

   4.2 To develop and publicize guidelines for literacy programs in libraries.

5. To emphasize the role of reading in children's development and to outline various approaches and methods that have been used in different countries.
   5.1 To become a cosponsor of the IFLA-Unesco "Books for All" library development project.

   5.2 To provide advice and publicity for the Unesco-coordinated "Reading for All" international reading promotion project.

6. To promote membership in the Section in order to increase the Section's effectiveness.
   6.1 To cooperate with other IFLA units with similar interests.

   6.2 To prepare a promotional leaflet about the Section and to translate it into three official languages.

New Research Column Launched

Shirley A. Fitzgibbons

School of Library and Information Science
Indiana University
10th St. and Jordan Ave.
Bloomington, IN 47405-1801
fax: 812-855-6166

e-mail: fitzgibb@indiana.edu

Current Research in Reading and Literacy

Abstract: This study is the first of a series of five-yearly surveys to provide snapshots of young people's reading habits in England. The survey involved 8,834 pupils between the ages of 4 and 16 in a sample designed to represent the school population. There was a good representation of enthusiastic, average and reluctant readers. Al pupils completed a questionnaire, some were also interviewed. In the youngest age group (4-7) most children chose a book by cover (36-44%), title (40-49%), blurb (42%), or name of author (41-44%). When asked about the characteristics of the characters in the books, none of the options relating to sex, color, or country of origin were important; "lives at the same time as you" was
was the only item that was rated important. Overwhelmingly the children chose books themselves, although mothers, teachers and school librarians were occasionally mentioned. More girls than boys reported that they read fiction more than 3 hours per week, with figures ranging from 24% for older boys to 62% for younger girls. The percentages tended to drop with age. A copy of the report is available from the Children's Literature Research Centre, Downshire House, Roehampton Institute, Roehampton Lane, London SW15 4HT.

Section on Reading on IFLANET

Organization Profile: The International Reading Association

IRA's International Development in Europe Committee, in cooperation with the Norwegian Reading Association and the Center for Reading Research, Stavanger College, is sponsoring the 11TH EUROPEAN CONFERENCE ON READING in Stavanger, Norway, on August 1-4, 1999. The main theme is "Literacy: Challenges for the New Millennium," with focus on both the history of reading and future challenges. The deadline for early registration is May 15, 1999. Information and forms are available from the conference secretariat: Ingeborg Vassoy, Forusbeen 80, 4033 Forus, Norway, fax +47 5180 2955, e-mail: ingeborg.vassoy@flyspesialisten.no.

The deadline for proposals for papers is Jan. 15, 1999. Information is available from Ingolv Austad, Program chairperson, Center for Reading Research, P.O. Box 2504, Ullandhaug, N-4004, Stavanger, Norway, telephone 47 51833200, fax +47 5183 3250, e-mail: ingolv.austad@slf.his.no.

IRA's History of Reading Special Interest Group (SIG) was founded in 1975. Its purpose is 1) to encourage historical research in the field of reading and literacy; 2) to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and information about the history of reading and reading instruction; and 3) to promote the development of a body of historical knowledge about reading and literacy. The group's newsletter, History of Reading News, is published twice a year. Membership is limited to IRA members, but the newsletter may be obtained by subscription for $10 a year. Checks are payable to the History of Reading SIG, %Douglas K. Hartman, University of Pittsburgh, 230 S. Bouguet Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15262.

Picture not available.

This new IRA poster "Literacy Takes You Places" was introduced on International Literacy Day.

Join the Section on Reading

The IFLA Section on Reading Offers:

The chance to participate in international discussion about issues of literacy, reading promotion and publishing

The opportunity to make a contribution to knowledge about reading and readers.

The opportunity to join with colleagues to carry out research on problems of reading.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT:

IFLA Headquarters

P.O.B. 95312
2509 CH The Hague, Netherlands
tel: +(31)(70)3140884;
fax: +(31)(70)3834827

IFLA SECTION ON READING OFFICERS

Chair:
John Y. Cole

Center for the Book
Library of Congress
101 Independence Ave., SE
Washington, DC 20540-4920
phone: 202-707-5221/ fax: 202-707-0269

e-mail: jcole@loc.gov

Secretary-Treasurer:
Adele M. Fasick


1386 28th Ave.
San Francisco, CA 94122
phone/fax: 415-564-3096

e-mail: amfasick@crl.com