Reading for fun and not research

Question

What are some proven methods that librarians can use to encourage students to read not just for their coursework, but for fun?

Answer 1

A number of thoughts come to mind:

• Displays - don't display the "should reads" but the fun stuff...have lots of displays!
• Connect reading to what they know and love already - most notably film. Introduce them to the books that came before the movies.
• Give them backstory - Tell them the story of Hunter Thompson or Sylvia Plath and see if it doesn't interest them in opening a book. Connect them to author websites - most YA authors have them.
• Get authors to visit. This takes time to organize, and it may take some budget, but it gives literature a face and a voice.
• Read aloud. Even in high school.
• Ask them what would make them more likely to read. You might get some fresh ideas!

Answer 2

There are likely whole books focused on this topic, (and I usually have the opposite problem -- students only want to use the internet for research) but I think the simple answer is a combination of choice and access.

First, give students access to the books they want to read. If it's comics, then buy more comics. If it's vampire romances, then buy more vampire romances. Ask for suggestions. You probably won't be able to purchase everything, but you'll know what they want. They key is to gauge their interests and not purchase based on our own.

Then, make sure students have regular opportunities to visit the library on their own. I have students that often drop-in during their lunch period or after school to check-out books.