2011
DOI: 10.1177/0961000611418813
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Reading, the library, and the elderly: A Singapore case study

Abstract: Singapore is now one of the fastest aging societies in the world. By 2030 those over 65 years old are expected to number 1.41m strong, 26.8 percent of the country’s entire population. Given these numbers, it is not surprising that aging is a key concern in Singapore. This article reports on a qualitative study of 32 individuals over the age of 55 who frequented one branch of Singapore’s public library system. It sheds light on the current views of the elderly on their reading and some of the facilities that th… Show more

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Cited by 8 publications
(5 citation statements)
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“…Research also indicates that the principal reading benefits among seniors are coping with loneliness and stress as well as maintaining contact with society at large (Luyt and Ho Swee, 2011). Paradoxically, although reading books is a solitary activity, it serves as a basis for social interaction through sharing them and discussing their content.…”
Section: Theoretical Frameworkmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Research also indicates that the principal reading benefits among seniors are coping with loneliness and stress as well as maintaining contact with society at large (Luyt and Ho Swee, 2011). Paradoxically, although reading books is a solitary activity, it serves as a basis for social interaction through sharing them and discussing their content.…”
Section: Theoretical Frameworkmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…In particular, the decrease in the tendency to read and write with aging, as well as changes in functional skills associated with aging (e.g., decreased vision, cognitive problems, coordination deficits), can result in a decrease in the performance of elderly in reading and writing activities (Sekiguchi and Kawashima, 2007). A qualitative study conducted in Singapore found that reading and writing can provide social interaction, increase social responsibility and self-esteem, and maintain a connection to life for the elderly (Luyt and Ann, 2011). In our study, the elderly had difficulty participating in reading and writing activities.…”
Section: Discussionmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Older readers living in urban areas seem to read more than their rural peers (Chen & Fu, 2008). Very little research has focused on economic and social variables, however, results from general reading surveys provide some evidence that poorer older people with less education read fewer materials and read less frequently (Chen, 2008;Knulst & Kraaykamp, 1998;Luyt & Ann, 2011;Scales & Rhee, 2001). However, daily or almost daily reading is common among older people (Anderson, Louveller, & Woolridge, 1992) and older people have always ranked highly among those who report having read a book for pleasure in the past year (Perrin, 2016;Zickuhr & Rainie, 2014).…”
Section: Literature Review: Older Adults and Readingmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Over the years, many calls have been made, across sectors, for active encouragement of leisure reading practices among older adults (Chen, 2008;Kingston, 1977;Luyt & Ann, 2011).…”
Section: Literature Review: Older Adults and Readingmentioning
confidence: 99%
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