readers

Readers are people who engage with written texts by decoding symbols, interpreting content, and integrating information with prior knowledge. Reading can occur in various languages and formats, including print, digital displays, and multimedia hybrids. Reader populations vary by age, education, culture, and accessibility needs, influencing literacy, learning, and communication in society.

In publishing and media, "readers" denotes the audience of a publication, as well as the members of a reader base identified through market research and circulation data. Reader metrics, such as circulation, subscriptions, and engagement surveys, help publishers and advertisers assess reach and impact.

The term also names devices designed to render text and related data for human reading. E-readers, such as Kindle and Kobo, use electronic ink and software to display digital books. Other devices, including barcode readers and RFID readers, enable machine-assisted reading of codes for inventory, access control, and point-of-sale operations.

Historically, the spread of printed books and modern literacy programs broadened the "reading public" and supported education, science, and cultural exchange. Public libraries, schools, and digital platforms continue to expand access to texts, while debates about literacy, accessibility, and copyright shape how readers interact with content.

See also: reader (disambiguation), e-reader, barcode reader, RFID reader.