Fostering the Reading Experience for Spanish-Speaking Readers: Post-migration Changes in Reading Practices and the Implication for Libraries

Abstract

ABSTRACT Purpose. This article examines the post-migration changes in reading practices of Spanish-speaking readers in the U.S. and Canada, with a goal of translating the findings into practical guidelines for librarians who engage with Spanish speakers in different types of libraries. Design/methodology/approach. The article draws on a subset of data from the larger bilingual, self-administered, qualitative survey conducted in two large urban areas (Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and New York City, NY, USA). These data are used to develop a practice framework by translating the generated empirical knowledge into concrete applications that can benefit librarians who engage Spanish speaking readers. Findings. The study analyzes the changed (or unchanged) amount of leisure reading, the various ways of accessing reading materials, alterations and evolution in reading content, and the choice of language preferred for reading different types of leisure materials. Originality. Reader studies, such as this one, are essential for facilitating the practice of reading experience (RE) librarianship in all types of libraries (public, academic, and special,) because they look beyond information needs and programming ideas into the soul of the people in their real-life circumstances, connecting librarians and readers on a deeper humanistic and cultural level.