A Question of Access: Finding Information Books for Emergent Readers

PA Larkin-Lieffers - Language and Literacy, 2007 - journals.library.ualberta.ca
PA Larkin-Lieffers
Language and Literacy, 2007journals.library.ualberta.ca
Emergent readers enjoy and benefit from reading age appropriate information books, and
there are many books published for this cohort. However, the few studies conducted on
access suggest that opportunities to find these books are limited. Early reading instruction
usually favours fiction, while school library collections may be limited due to budget
constraints. Retail selection is poor, and few awards recognize this genre. Public library
access may be compromised due to budget issues, library design, fiction in displays, and …
Abstract
Emergent readers enjoy and benefit from reading age appropriate information books, and there are many books published for this cohort. However, the few studies conducted on access suggest that opportunities to find these books are limited. Early reading instruction usually favours fiction, while school library collections may be limited due to budget constraints. Retail selection is poor, and few awards recognize this genre. Public library access may be compromised due to budget issues, library design, fiction in displays, and parental behaviour. More research to clarify issues regarding access is needed to improve young children’s opportunities to find information books.
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