Celebrity book clubs and public libraries: opportunity and threat?

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this Editorial is to discuss the nature of television‐based celebrity book clubs and the pressures on public librarians to provide reading material for users who wish to take part in them.

Design/methodology/approach

The article provides a reflective viewpoint.

Findings

While initiatives that promote reading should be welcomed, equally librarians may have to concern themselves with the ethics of stock selection in promoting such clubs. While this does not mean taking part is a mistake, stock selection based on anything other than community need is potentially problematic.

Practical implications

Of practical use to practitioners who may be considering the issue of promoting books made popular via television endorsement.

Originality/value

The paper questions whether something that is taken for granted, i.e. promotion of reading through such clubs, is actually always a good thing for libraries and readers.

Citation

McMenemy, D. (2007), "Celebrity book clubs and public libraries: opportunity and threat?", Library Review, Vol. 56 No. 5, pp. 353-357. https://doi.org/10.1108/00242530710750545