Reading in the Age of Continuous Partial Attention: Retail-Inspired Ideas for Academic Libraries

Authors

  • Pauline Dewan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5860/rusq.58.3.7045

Abstract

Reading is an essential skill that improves with practice, not just when we are learning to read but as adults. College students may be out of the habit of reading except for required texts. Deep reading skills may be eroded by habits of interrupted and partial attention. This article explores ways to promote reading among college students through the implementation of best practices from retail and marketing.

Author Biography

Pauline Dewan

Pauline Dewan is a reference librarian at Wilfrid Laurier University. Co-author of Connecting Children with Classics: A Reader-Centered Approach to Selecting and Promoting Great Literature (2018), she has also written a number of articles about reading for pleasure. She won the 2015 RUSA Press Award for her article, “Reading Matters in the Academic Library: Taking the Lead from Public Librarians.” Pauline Dewan received her MLIS from the University of Western Ontario and her doctorate in English from York University (Toronto).

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Published

2019-06-22

Issue

Section

Features