While the rollers worked, a voice could accompany the gallery with news and literature. The factory lector is part of the culture of the craft and of the history of its workers.

The J.C. Newman museum describes lectors chosen by the workers themselves and supported by their contributions. Its account shows a practice of shared reading that connected manual work with information and with literary works.

The workers took part both in choosing the voice and in what was read. That shared decision makes the lector a singular figure within the workshop. The activity joined the continuity of manual work with collective listening, and allows the gallery to be seen as part of a reading culture.