Finding without seeking: the information encounter in the context of reading for pleasure

A Modular Approach to Promote Creativity and Inspiration in Search

“…A range of literature has investigated professional search behaviours and processes [1,2,6,9,11,14,17,25,26,31,32], e.g., bibliographic and reference search [1], search in digital libraries and on the internet [6,37,48], video search [55], and search in creative professions such as architecture [32]. Studies have found that leisurely search, more than professional search, follows personal curiosities [10,18,20,30], however, most research on leisurely information search (e.g., fiction reading) focuses on selection strategies rather than search processes [43,44,49]. For instance, while some studies have investigated how people search for fiction books [40,43,44,49], insights do not go beyond broad strategy categories such as "known-item search" or "browsing".…”

“…Studies have found that leisurely search, more than professional search, follows personal curiosities [10,18,20,30], however, most research on leisurely information search (e.g., fiction reading) focuses on selection strategies rather than search processes [43,44,49]. For instance, while some studies have investigated how people search for fiction books [40,43,44,49], insights do not go beyond broad strategy categories such as "known-item search" or "browsing". Considering both digital and physical search environments, our work contributes the investigation of search processes as they evolve as part of book search in general.…”

Back to the Future?

“…Ross identifies many needs served by many kinds of books, including finding "models for identity," "new perspectives and enlargement of possibilities," "confirmation of self-worth," "connection with others and awareness of not being alone," "courage to make change," and better "understanding of the world." 6 To this list of reading benefits and goals we can add the social value of reading books that others have read; the education derived from information woven deftly into entertaining fiction and nonfiction narratives; the challenge of reading books that enhance our vocabularies and our ability to decipher complex ideas; and the needed diversion sometimes provided by light reading. Helping readers in all of these pursuits is the philosophical underpinning of exemplary contemporary RA.…”

Searching for Birth Parents or Adopted Children: Finding without Seeking in Romance Novels

“…4 In other words, locating and retrieving fiction, or fulfilling readers' reading desires, is seen as more important than the factual information content found in fiction, except for Ross's work on finding without seeking. 5 …”