Applying theory in practice: The serious leisure perspective and public library programming

 Reise, Ashley

VanScoy, Amy, Thomson, Leslie, & Hartel, Jenna. (2020). Applying theory in practice: The serious leisure perspective and public library programming. Library & Information Science Research, 42(3), 101034. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lisr.2020.101034

Summary: The Serious Leisure Perspective, a grounded theoretical framework imported to the information and library science field, offers clarity to researchers of leisure-related information activities. Using this framework, libraries can analyze their programming and identify areas of development and improvement. A content analysis shows that most adult library programs (59%) are casual leisure based. Revealing that there is a void for those in serious leisure pursuits. 

Evaluation: Since starting at SJSU I've been interested in serious leisure and how libraries can help fill the void in regards to lack of location and programming. As this is a recent article, I'm both maddened to see that serious leisure as a whole is completely missed by the public library community but have hope that with awareness, new programming could be introduced in libraries that caters to the public that have serious pursuits.