Public Libraries and Per Capita Reading

This article is an attempt to determine the share of two types of readings (profession-oriented reading and free reading) which are performed in public libraries. It also tries to show the types of library divisions (circulation, membership, collection, area and library clients) which explain the mentioned reading types. In the present research, which is an applied research work, the corresponding data were collected from 21 countries regarding eight variables including: profession-oriented reading rate, free reading rate, per capita reading, circulation, membership, collection, area, and library client. Spearman rank correlation test and a step-by-step regression analysis were used for data analysis. The results showed that there is a significant correlation between public libraries and free readings. Free reading proved to be more in higher rank libraries than in lower rank ones. According to some findings, if free reading rate is considered as a base variable, circulation variable explains it with a 0.527 determining coefficient and a 0.726 correlation coefficient. Other variables have a very low impact in comparison with the mentioned variable and are ignorable. At the end, an equation has been offered to calculate free reading rate on the basis of circulation rate.Originality/Value: This article seeks to identify some proper library guidelines for the two major types of readings i.e. free reading and profession-oriented. It also attempts to clarify the share of each guideline in explaining the reading rate.