Book influencers in the library?

The digital revolution has reshaped approaches to promoting reading and literature, posing challenges in a world where technological advancements compete with traditional forms of entertainment. Libraries, especially tasked with engaging younger generations, must actively adapt to make reading attractive. In this context, the emergence of book influencers and reading promoters on social media and online platforms plays a crucial role in reading education. These influencers, spanning diverse age groups and interests, offer libraries opportunities to diversify their reading programs. Our research focused on Hungarian book influencers and reading promoters using the “walkthrough” method on four platforms, identifying 60 individuals. Structured interviews with 23 influencers aimed to uncover their activities, motivations, and the underlying aspirations and reading experiences behind their content. The study contributes to literary and cultural mediation, exploring the intersection between libraries and literacy promoters. It addresses how literacy promoters can collaborate with libraries to enhance the promotion of reading and literature in the community. Emphasizing how reading promoters can help libraries generate interest in books and literature, the findings suggest that social media and influencers complement libraries’ literacy strategies. Collaboration with these influencers has the potential to benefit both libraries and readers, fostering a reading culture aligned with the digital era’s demands. Encouraging influencers to collaborate with libraries could also lead to the education of their followers, transforming them into library users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]