Grassroots Inquiry through Reading Groups in Academic Libraries

Abstract

Reading groups organized within academic libraries offer an interdisciplinary/undisciplined space for academics to discuss scholarly readings without the typical expectations associated with reading within the academy. Unlike reading for coursework or in order to write, which positoins the reader as a suspicious critic, reading as a community interested in a shared topic of inquiry opens up new avenues for interpretation and collaboration. This article describes some history of reading groups, how they are related to libraries, and theories of reading that help explore why reading groups create a sense of grassroots inquiry. It also offers practical advice for those interested in creating academic reading groups in their library.