Reading Habits Survey Template

This reading habits survey template asks adults about leisure reading during the past four weeks, including formats, reading occasions and barriers. Use it to plan collections or activities around how people actually read.

Preview on a device
Reading Habits Survey Preview

This reading habits survey template asks adults about leisure reading during the past four weeks, including formats, reading occasions and barriers. Use it to plan collections or activities around how people actually read.

Someone who reads short digital pieces on a commute may need something different from a reader who sets aside time for print books. Ask about behavior and context before deciding what support to offer.

When to use this reading habits survey

Libraries, book groups and community reading programs can use this survey with adults. SurveyLegend helps collect planning feedback about leisure reading. It is not a literacy test, a reading-level assessment or a school performance measure.

7 questions for your reading habits survey

Think about leisure reading or audiobook listening during the past four weeks. Include books and shorter texts read for interest rather than required work or study. All questions are optional.

Try the survey

A little feedback. A clearer picture.

Explore this 7-question example at your own pace. Every question is optional.

SurveyLegend demo Question 1 of 7

Reading Habits Survey

01 In a typical week during this period, on how many days did you read for leisure or listen to an audiobook?

Choose one answer, or skip this question.

02 Which format did you use most often?

Choose one answer, or skip this question.

03 When did leisure reading or listening most often fit into your day?

Choose one answer, or skip this question.

04 Which format would you prefer for a book you want to explore next?

Choose one answer, or skip this question.

05 What most limited your leisure reading or listening?

Choose one answer, or skip this question.

06 What subject or kind of book would you like to explore?

Share your answer, or skip this question.

07 What would make reading or listening easier to fit into your life?

Share your answer, or skip this question.

Checking submission availability…

This is a demo. We count starts and submissions only. Your answers stay in your browser and are never sent or saved.

0Starts
0Submissions

Activity · no starts yet

Customize your reading habits survey

Keep the no-reading options so people do not feel they need to exaggerate. If your program focuses on books, say so in every question; otherwise include shorter texts. This version treats audiobooks as a separate format and asks about preferences without labeling one medium better than another. Avoid leading questions that imply frequent print reading is the only desirable habit.

Printable reading habits survey

Use the printable version at a library program or community book-group meeting. Keep the same questions and answer options so paper responses can be reviewed consistently with online replies.

First page of the printable Reading Habits Survey Template with questions and answer spaces
Download Reading Habits Survey Template (PDF)

Create this survey with AI

Copy this prompt into an AI assistant to draft the questions. Review the draft, then build and customize the survey in SurveyLegend before sharing.

Copy the prompt into an AI assistant to draft the questions, then build your survey in SurveyLegend.

Already have an account? Sign in to create your survey.

How to use the answers

Keep recent behavior separate from preferred format: someone may prefer print but use digital because it is easier to access. Review barriers before choosing activities. Group suggestions into practical themes such as access, discovery or time, and avoid describing respondents who read less as less capable. Use open-ended data to distinguish access barriers from requests for different subjects or formats.

In the abstract, Schwabe and colleagues (2023) write: “the different reading situations”. The authors studied this alongside other reading practices, rather than asking about format alone. This template applies that approach by asking where reading fits into daily life, not just which format someone likes. Its audience includes nonreaders, so results should not be compared directly with a sample limited to book readers. Read the reading practices study for the study's context.

Frequently asked questions

Is this a reading ability test?

No. It asks about habits and preferences. Do not use these responses to assign a reading level or judge literacy.

Why include people who have not read recently?

Their barriers may matter to a community program. Retain a genuine no-reading option instead of forcing a preference.

Should audiobooks count as reading?

State your definition before collecting responses. This version includes listening in participation questions and identifies the format separately so reports stay clear.