This book is about all aspects of literature in relation to the reader. It covers the relationship between author and reader, and the impact that changes in technology and organizational and governmental policy have had on the publishing and promotion of literature. It reflects on the challenges facing library and information professionals in reader development, and examines current promotion and partnership options. We hope that it gives experienced practitioners, new professionals and students a firm underpinning knowledge on which they can build.

This is an essential guide by current practitioners for current practitioners and students. It is not intended as a replacement, but rather as a complement to, and development of, other texts, containing new ideas and practical advice for the modern information professional.

This is a guide to how readers develop, and the impact that they can have on what libraries offer. Implicit in the text are the questions: ‘Who is the reader? How do we reach readers? What are the benefits?’ The contributors offer chapters of an impressive range and scope, and there are some unconventional approaches to the topics. To link them together we have included a specific introduction to each section and a contextual preface for all chapters.

We believe that the varying voices and styles of the contributors will create a refreshing and involving reading experience. At times the tone is academic and formal; at times it is colloquial and informal: this reflects the subject and style of each individual. Our contributors include academics, a poet, a crime writer, a teacher, a bookseller, a hypertext creator and web page designer and, of course, library practitioners. Each brings a particular tone and perspective to the topics they develop. Every contribution includes a practical framework of examples for the reader to take away and put into practice in their own professional area. We see the book not so much as a jigsaw puzzle but as a mosaic: each of the sections can stand alone but read together they form a complete picture.