READING TRENDS

Evening Star, Issue 23691, 26 September 1940, Page 16

READING TRENDS

DEFINITE LEANING TO SERIOUS LITERATURE MAPS ATTAIN PROMINENCE Twelve months of war have introduced new trends in reading. There has been a definite leaning to the more serious typos of literature, embracing international affairs, religion, sociology, and philosophy. Maps have reached a new pinnacle of prominence, while aviation books and magazines have experienced marked popularity. These are the findings of the city librarian (Mr A. G. W- Dunningham), who remarked upon the growing reference to books on Great Britain, and—to a lesser extent —all types of travel literature in an interview with the ‘ Star.’ Naturally enough, with aviation playing a prominent part in this war, research in thjs department of the Public Library section—both in books and magazines—had been a noticeable trend. Inquiries had been general for European war issues, while maps had experienced a new attention, with particular reference 'to those countries encompassed by hostilities Many persons were renewing their acquaintance with Great Britain, both by study of maps and the assimilation of data contained in travel and descriptive literature. Other countries had participated as the hostility zone had swung rapidly. Humour, as a relaxation from the stress of war, had, been given more attention than in peace time. It took some time for these trends to take definite shape, said Mr Dmmingiiam. While tension held sway before the outbreak of the war there had not been the same interest. In bad quickened noticeably, however, after hostilities began, and the eyes of the world focused in rapid succession upon those countries through which Hitler marched. Merc appreciation of library facilities had been shown, he concluded. With war opening up now avenues of thought, readers looked to the libraries for elucidation or clarification—through tlie wide range of material offering—of the problems met by them.