Public libraries have long been held as not only places for educational materials and learning, but also as places where leisure reading is promoted, but that has not been the focus where spicy romance or erotica is concerned. Greenhaus ponders whether this is because it is predominately associated with women and seen as a frivolous escape, despite research indicating actual value. Radway (1984) found that reading romance provided a variety of positive benefits, from education to emotional outlet to enjoyment. Kimberly, Williams, and Creel (2017) found that erotic fiction can have positive influences on relationships, like increased communication. Adult women are the greatest consumers of romance and erotica, and the Pew Research Center reports that 78 percent of women have read a book in the last year and print is still the most widely preferred (Bishop, 2026). They also reported that women are more likely to visit a public library at 54 percent (Geiger, 2017). It is important, then, that libraries look into whether or not they are fulfilling the needs of readers. So, “Pssst… do you have this dirty book, or not?” (5)
Here's part of the conclusion: