Powell, R.R., Taylor, M.T., and McMillen, D.L. (1984) Childhood Socialization: Its Effects on Adult Library use and Adult Reading. Library Quarterly, 54, July, 245-64

Abstract

This exploratory study is a response to a perceived void in the information behavior field. Previous studies tend to focus on the affects of demographic information and behavior of library and information users. This study takes an alternative route by examining the importance of childhood factors of reading, parental influence, and social learning of children affecting the reading frequency and library use of individuals as adults.

Powell, Taylor, and McMillen attempt to analyze two surveys conducted through the University of Michigan’s Survey Research Center. The first survey is a monthly series of about seven hundred telephone surveys questioning individuals about demographic factors in relation to library use. The second is a very similar telephone survey but is centered more on gathering data through ten questions about childhood experiences with libraries and reading proficiency. The results of these interview questions are then analyzed by a MCA system that examines the relationship between demographic factors and childhood experiences. Results showed that the level of predictability varies between magazine, library use and book reading based on demographics aspects and magazine use, book reading, and library use based on childhood factors. However, what remains consistent is that when using both demographics and childhood variables together, there is a much higher likelihood of predicting library and reading frequency than using them separately.