Book Talk - Effectiveness of Book Talks

Effectiveness of Book Talks

There is limited research conducted on the effectiveness of booktalks but they clearly demonstrate the increase of booktalked titles being circulated and lack of effect on reading attitudes6. Joni Bodart's dissertation (1987)30 concluded that:

1. Booktalked titles circulated from the library.
2. Overall attitudes towards reading is unaffected by booktalks.

Pamela Dahl's thesis (1988)31 concluded that:

1. Booktalks can have an effect on the number of pages that students report for independent reading.
2. Booktalks did not have any effect on students’ reading attitudes.
3. Gender breakdown in terms of reading interests was pronounced: 61 percent of females read one book a week compared to 21 percent of males.

Gail Reeder's dissertation (1991)32 concluded that:

1. Booktalking significantly increased the circulation of booktalk titles.
2. Booktalking did not result in a change in reading attitudes.
3. Booktalking increased circulation of selected titles but did not extend to other books.

Terrence David Nollen's dissertation (1992)33 concluded that:

1. Booktalking had no effect on reading attitudes.
2. Booktalking had significant effects on student's decisions to check out the booktalked titles.
3. Booktalking affected student choice, but only for a very short time.