A Study On The Readers' Advisory Service Of American Public Libraries,1920s-1940s

Readers' Advisory services is a basic reader service of American public libraries,and it is also an important way for public libraries to promote and guide public reading.The Readers' Advisory services of American public library can be traced back to the 1870 s,and the organized Readers' Advisory services was not started until the 1920 s.The 1920s-1940 s were recognized as the flourishing periods of Readers' Advisory services in American public libraries.This paper systematically sorts out and analyzes the development background,specific practice and driving factors of Readers' Advisory services in American public libraries from 1920 s to 1940 s,in order to provide reference information for the research and practice of Readers' Advisory services in public libraries.In the 1920 s,the Readers' Advisory services of American public libraries developed under the background of Adult Education Movement.The outbreak of the Great Depression increased the demand for Readers' Advisory services.The Second World War affected the content and direction of Readers' Advisory services.During this period,the public library's Readers' Advisory services practice took "education-oriented" and "personalized" as the service concepts.The service content is mainly that the readers' Advisers makes recommended bibliography or reading plan for individual readers through readers' advisory interview,and provides Readers' Advisory services to group readers through recommended bibliography and reading club.Through the research on the Readers' Advisory services of American public library from1920 s to 1940 s,it is found that the Readers' Advisory services of public libraries had a positive impact during this period,including meeting the needs of the public,improving the cultural literacy of the public,and making the educational function of public libraries recognized.But at the same time,there are also shortcomings and limitations,including the lack of systematic theoretical guidance,biased novels,lack of evaluation of service effect.Finally,this paper puts forward some thoughts and inspirations,including the implementation of Readers' Advisory services in China's public libraries,still paying attention to the value ofReaders' Advisory services education orientation,and bring reading advisory into the professional education system of library science.