Using Research to Promote Literacy and Reading in Libraries: Guidelines for Librarians. IFLA Professional Report No. 125

The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) Literacy and Reading Section is trying to help librarians address the question: "How can librarians effectively promote literacy and reading?" This guide is IFLA's second publication aimed specifically at librarians and related organizations who want to find ways to foster literacy within the global society. The section's first publication, the brochure "Guidelines for Library-Based Literacy Programs: Some Practical Suggestions" (2007; See at: http://archive.ifla.org/VII/s33/project/literacy.htm), described specific ways that librarians and their partners can become involved in literacy, emphasizing the hosting of literacy promotion events at libraries and the development by libraries of resources useful to literacy and reading promotion. Using "Research to Promote Literacy and Reading in Libraries" extends the first brochure by focusing on the importance of wisely consuming, conducting and applying research conducted by librarians and their partners in order to promote literacy and reading. The aims of this new brochure are threefold: (1) to encourage librarians to use research in their literacy and reading promotion efforts; (2) to encourage other organizations that promote literacy and reading to make use of relevant research in their own promotional activities; and (3) to encourage librarians and other organizations to conduct action and assessment research.