Abstract

This study explored the reading experiences of older adults through their participation in public library reading clubs within the framework of serious leisure. As Korea becomes a super-aged society, the role of meaningful leisure in later life has gained importance. Three focus group interviews were conducted—one for each of the senior reading clubs (18 participants in total)—and the transcripts were analyzed using Stebbins’ (1982; 1994; 2009; 2020) six characteristics of serious leisure. Findings showed that perseverance appeared in overcoming eyesight decline and managing reading time; career in expanding reading scope and developing close reading habits; personal effort in sustained reading and active club participation; durable benefits in cognitive and emotional growth; unique ethos in mutual respect and openness; and identity in self-awareness and belonging as a reader. Emotion analysis revealed mainly negative emotions about physical limitations and strong positive emotions about cognitive and psychological rewards. Overall, seniors’ reading experiences formed a cyclical process—beginning with perseverance and developing through career and personal effort toward durable benefits, ethos, and identity. These results suggest that serious leisure offers a valuable framework for understanding seniors’ reading experiences and provide practical insights for library programs that enhance the quality of later life.