The Identity of the Public Library and Reading Practices

Abstract

This contribution describes the premises, context, and characteristics of the Reading(&)Machine project developed by the Turin Polytechnic SmartData@Polito and VR@Polito centers, the University of Turin Department of Historical Studies, and the Turin Civic Libraries. The project aims to create an innovative environment capable of capturing and enriching the reading experience through recommendation algorithms and a special interface, and to become part of a new conception, both digital and physical, of the library reading space. Reading(&)Machine is based on the processing of library data and other types of data from the aNobii social reading platform and generalist social networks. The project therefore develops a new configuration of a reading machine that can help enhance the role, functions, and identity of public libraries.