Purpose The purpose of this paper is to build on limited understandings of how readers engage with non-fiction. Drawing from prior research and three recent case studies involving non-fiction reading, this paper considers heterogeneity in modes of reading and the central role of libraries in fostering non-fiction reading cultures. Design/methodology/approach Findings from three recent case studies of non-fiction reading about relationship advice; developmental disorders; and financial planning, based on qualitative interviews, participant observation and survey data, are used to assess and expand understandings of non-fiction reading and collections. Findings There is considerable heterogeneity in modes of non-fiction reading, and readers often appropriate non-fiction texts for purposes unintended by the authors. Both physical and online libraries function as sites where non-fiction reading can be used by a broad range of demographic groups to participate in individual or group-based resistance to structural and cultural sources of power and inequality. Practical implications This paper provides insight into the role and value of non-fiction collections. Social implications Findings speak to the value of robust funding for print and online non-fiction collections in communities and schools. Originality/value This paper offers new empirical and theoretical insight into how non-fiction collections are used by a range of demographic groups in community and school contexts. Sociological theories are introduced to highlight the role of non-fiction collections in facilitating social change at individual and group levels.

中文翻译：

---

探索与非小说类收藏的互动：社会学观点

目的本文的目的是建立在对读者如何与非小说类书籍互动的有限理解上。从先前的研究和最近涉及非小说阅读的三个案例研究中，本文考虑了阅读模式的异质性以及图书馆在培养非小说阅读文化中的核心作用。设计/方法论/方法从三个非小说类近期案例研究中发现的有关关系建议的发现；发育障碍 基于定性访谈，参与者观察和调查数据的财务计划，用于评估和扩大对非小说类阅读和收藏的理解。调查结果非小说类阅读的模式存在很大的异质性，读者通常会出于作者意想不到的目的而使用非小说类文章。物理图书馆和在线图书馆都充当站点，许多人口统计群体可以使用非小说类阅读来参与个人或基于群体的对权力和不平等的结构和文化来源的抵抗。实际意义本文对非小说类收藏的作用和价值提供了见解。社会影响研究结果表明，为社区和学校的印刷和在线非小说类收藏提供强大资金的价值。原创性/价值本文为社区和学校环境中的一系列人口群体如何使用非小说类收藏提供了新的经验和理论见解。引入社会学理论以突出非小说类收藏在促进个人和团体层面的社会变革中的作用。