The investigation objective was to find out the reading interests of the population segment, in Campinas, that does not use the Public Library. For this purpose, zone maps of the city were assembled from users' catalogues, in order to determine which regions were the most deficient in reading facilities. The investigation data were collected by means of a structured interview guide. Interviews were conducted with 880 residents, chosen randomly, from 40 selected suburbs with a view to learn their reading interests. The results were used in outlining the strategies to establish a policy for the Council's Culture Bureau in order to restructure the Campinas' Public Library system, implanting regional Libraries with collections that meet the aspiration and interests of the prospective readers. So doing, made viable a proposal for a reading incentive program aiming at residents deprived of easement of access to the literate culture and, therefore, deprived of an instrument to exercise their citizenship.
public library; reading interests; collection selection; collection acquisition