Research on Information Science and Public Libraries

Analysis the Affecting Reading Appeals on Borrowing the Popular Fiction Books in Public Libraries in Tehran

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Hadi Jafari 1
Mohammad Khandan 2

1 MSc in Information Science and Knowledge Management, university of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

2 Department of Information Science and Knowledge Management, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

10.61882/publlij.2025.2077177.1052
Abstract
Purpose: The study examines the role of public libraries as primary providers of recreational reading and emphasizes the importance of offering appropriate fiction materials for users. It focuses on factors influencing readers’ book selection, particularly reading appeals, which relate to content features and reader preferences. The research analyzes how these appeals affect the borrowing rate of popular fiction books in Tehran’s public libraries.
Methods: The study employed a survey method using a semi-structured questionnaire, whose validity was confirmed through expert and faculty review. The statistical population consisted of 5,118 active members of the Tehran Public Pirozi Library, from which a sample of 357 was determined using Cochran’s formula. Data were analyzed using SPSS through both descriptive and inferential statistical techniques
Results: The study revealed that story style, narrative tone, reader curiosity, and reader mood were the most important criteria influencing users’ selection and borrowing of books at the Pirouzi Public Library. Hypothesis testing showed that pacing, framing, curiosity, and mood were more influential for women rather than men. Framing, author popularity, title popularity, curiosity, recommendations from friends and experts, and mood were more significant for older readers. Furthermore, characterization, framing, author popularity, title popularity, curiosity, and mood increased in importance with higher levels of education.
Conclusion: Since public libraries are considered to be the main hub for the provision of reading texts, identifying effective reading trends in borrowing popular fiction books to library users enables managers and policy makers of public libraries. Identify the audience's view of popular books in order to provide their library collections based on their interests.

Keywords

Appeal Reading
Popular Fictions
Loans
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Research on Information Science and Public Libraries
Volume 31, Issue 3 - Serial Number 122
Reading Special Issue
September 2025
Pages 19-38

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