1 Investigating fiction reader characteristics using personal construct theory

Using the public library context, presents research identifying perceived characteristics of fiction readers and their associated genres, with a particular emphasis on the reader of Black British and Asian fiction in the English language. Design/methodology/approach Applies personal construct theory and the associated repertory grid to a mixed method study involving fifteen repertory grid interviews, conducted with Librarianship Masters students at a UK university. Findings Findings regarding the perceived profile of the reader were similar to those reported in previous sociological research, but new constructs emerged regarding certain perceived characteristics of both readers and genres. Research limitations/implications Method and findings provide a starting point for future research in materials portraying, and originating from, minority ethnic communities. With more repeated constructs and a larger sample size, future research could statistically investigate the significance of potential trend