| Libraries are creating online student-generated book review websites, but little research has been done to determine how this promotional strategy will motivate reading. Research links the literacy crisis to poor reading habits and behaviors. This action research project examines how such a website can impact utilization of the library collection. The study also examined the types of books teens selected to review and the types of information they shared. It was found that this use of technology and the power of peers to influence teen behavior resulted in an increase in circulation of those titles reviewed. The study also found that the project more than doubled the number of visits to the library website. An additional finding was that more than half the reviews were on books of the fantasy genre. This study has several implications for librarians seeking new strategies for promoting reading. |
