Reading with a Purpose

Reading with a Purpose is a series of educational booklets published by the American Library Association starting in 1925. Designed as a structured tool for adult education, the series offered readers curated reading lists and introductory essays written by subject matter experts to help them navigate various fields of study, from history and philosophy to science and the arts. At a time when public libraries were seeking to expand their role as engines of lifelong learning, this collection functioned as a standardized curriculum for the independent scholar.

The series was largely a response to the post-World War I era's growing interest in autodidacticism and accessible knowledge for the working public. Editors and contributors were carefully selected to provide authoritative yet approachable guidance, ensuring the guides remained relevant to a diverse audience. The collection was well-received by library systems across the United States, effectively standardizing the guidance provided by librarians and cementing the library's position as a formal participant in the American education system.