Reading Clubs in the Spotlight... Significant Impact on Converting Non-Readers to Readers [More Libraries, Fewer Readers]

Effectiveness of "Reading Clubs" Proven in Experiments
Helping Non-Readers Overcome Barriers and Discover the Joy of Reading

The operation of reading clubs has been found to be highly effective in converting non-readers into readers. According to the "Design and Experimental Study of Reading Incentive Programs for Non-Readers," released by the Korea Publishing Industry Promotion Agency in December last year, a group of pure non-readers who had not read any books in the past year achieved a 100% reading rate after participating in four reading club sessions over a month. Even after a subsequent two-month period, the reading rate remained at 84.5%. Additionally, 94.9% of respondents reported an increase in both the amount of reading and their interest in reading after joining the club. The main reasons for increased interest were participation in the reading club (51.8%), discussing books with others (41.4%), and reading itself (39.7%). Whether a reading expert participated did not make a significant difference; the act of participation itself led to notable changes.

A monthly reading group was held four times for non-readers who did not read a single book in a year, after which their reading volume was assessed. Then, after a two-month delay period, their reading volume was assessed again.

In contrast, reading campaigns showed little impact on all indicators, including reading rate, reading volume, and reading frequency. At two middle schools, recommended books were introduced once or twice a week for a month, and reading promotion materials and videos were placed in key locations on campus. While this helped avid readers read more books, it had little effect on converting non-readers into readers.

Based on these findings, the research team concluded that active support and intervention are needed in the early stages to convert non-readers, and that even long-term non-readers can become readers through such efforts. The effectiveness of interventions was observed in the following order: reading clubs, reading support (financial or time-based), and reading promotion. The researchers advised, "For non-readers, it is important to provide opportunities such as reading clubs that allow them to experience the joy of reading, accumulate new reading experiences, and regain and maintain their engagement as readers. Since non-readers often find it difficult to start reading on their own, it is necessary to offer experiential opportunities or reading activities that they can join with acquaintances."

The National Library Committee plans to increase the number of reading clubs operated by public libraries from 4,108 (an average of 3.3 per library) in 2023 to 7,000 (an average of 5 per library) by 2028.

The reason for these efforts is that the decline in the reading population is directly linked to the quality of life of the people. According to the 2023 National Reading Survey, the most common reason for not reading books was a lack of time, with many citing that they are too busy making a living to enjoy cultural activities. Reading rates also varied by income level, with lower income groups showing lower reading rates. Considering research results indicating that a 1% increase in the reading rate raises GDP by approximately 3.4608 trillion won (as of 2017), there is an urgent need for measures to prevent national losses caused by declining reading rates.

Publication culture critic Jang Eunsu stated, "Higher reading rates are associated with better jobs and, in the long term, increased income. Quality of life also improves. While it is worth considering whether higher income leads to more reading or more reading leads to higher income, reading polarization results in economic polarization. There is a need for change in reading campaigns."