A Critical Review of Librarians’ Ideology of Good Reading, from Reader-response Theory

“The best reading for the largest number at the least cost” has been the most influential motto for librarians since 19th century. Under the motto, librarians intend to collect the best reading for the largest number of reader to read. However, studies have shown that librarians have no power over the creation of the best reading. The making of canons actually, is dominated by scholarly community. Also, from reader-response theory, each reader has his/her own interpretative community, how can we expect him/her to esteem the elitist's best reading? The author finally, advocates that librarians should let the reader to gear his/her interpretation.[Article content in Chinese]