Libraries 2016 - The latest Pew survey of public libraries finds that Americans have expectations of what the public library should offer including teaching digital skills. Sept., 2016.
Book Reading 2016 - The latest Pew survey of reading finds that the number of Americans who read at least one book a year remains constant at 73%. E-book reading is growning, but print books remain more popular. Sept. 2016
Caution Flags for Use of Tech in Education - Recent studies seem to show that computer use is not as effective in education as had been hoped. This is an article by Anya Kamenetz at NPR Ed, August 11, 2016.
World Literacy - a ranking based upon the number of libraries and newspapers, education inputs and outputs, and computer availability in 60 countries. The United States ranks 7th overall; the Scandinavian countries have the best ranks. This study was conducted by Central Connecticut State University, 2016.
Libraries and Learning - A survey from the Pew Research Center finds that Americans feel that libraries are doing a good job in their community. Library use is down, and many people do not know all of the services which the library provides. April, 2016.
Lifelong Learning and Technology - This Pew study of lifelong learning finds that the majority of Americans say that they engage in lifelong learning. Lifelong learning is engaged in more by people with higher education and higher incomes. March 22, 2016.
State and County Estimates of Low Literacy - Determine the per cent of adults with low literacy in an area or compare two states or counties. By the IES Institute of Educational Statistics.
Leaders and Laggards - A state by state report card on educational effectiveness by the U.S.Chamber of Commerce.
Access to School Library Resources Forms Along Racial Lines - This article is based upon a study by the NEA which shows that students in districts which have racial minorities and high poverty are most affected by cuts in school libraries. This is an article by Cindy Long in NEA Today, November, 2016.
School Libraries Work, 2016 - Statistical studies compiled by Scholastic on the effectiveness of school libraries, November, 2015.
Libraries at the Crossroads - A PEW research study, Sept. 15, 2015. The American public believes that libraries should offer new services, and two thirds of those polled say that closing libraries would have a major impact on the community. Eighty five per cent of respondents believe that public libraries should work more closely with school libraries.
Teens, Social Media, and Technology - From the Pew Research Center, April, 2015. 92% of teens go online daily. 71% use more than one social networking site with Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat being the most popular.
Kids and Family Reading Report - From Scholastic, Jan. 2015. How often do children read for fun? What books do they enjoy the most? How do they feel about e-books? This report provides answers to these questions.
Children's and Young People's Reading 2014 - A survey by the British National Literacy Trust. In this extensive survey, the reading of text messages, emails, and web sites are included in the analysis of reading done by young people.
Common Sense Media Report on Teen Reading - Reading by teenagers has dropped dramatically in the last 30 years. 45% of 17 year olds read by choice only once or twice a year. May 12, 2014.
Public Libraries in the United States: Fiscal Year 2011 - A report issued in June, 2014 by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. This report is for the fiscal year 2011. Public libraries are circulating more books, offering more technology and more programs.
Early Reading Proficiency in the United States - a study of fourth grades by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, January, 2014. Reading proficiency has improved, but there are still disparities based on race, income, and for dual language learners.
Younger Americans' Library Habits and Expectations - A Pew study of reading and library use by Americans ages 16 - 29. They are all online, but they still visit libraries and more have read a paper book than older Americans. They are also users of library web sites. This study is dated June 25, 2013.
The State of America's Libraries 2013 - a report issued April, 2013 by the American Library Association. Libraries continue to provide resources as their budgets are being reduced. They are also meeting challenges to books, and are advocating free access to digital resources.
Teens and Technology 2013 - A survey by the Pew Research Center released March 13, 2013. Teens are increasingly accessing the internet from mobile devices, and one in four access the internet only from their smart phone.
Library Services in the Digital Age - From the Pew Internet and American Life Project, Jan. 22, 2013. Americans want their public libraries to have both books and technology. 85% of Americans over 16 want the public library to coordinate more closely with public schools. 91% of Americans find public libraries important to both them and their families.
How Teens Do Research in a Digital World - A study by the Pew Internet and American Life Project, November, 2012. The majority of teachers surveyed believe that the Internet is creating a generation of easily distracted students with short attention spans.
Are US Students Ready to Compete ? - A study comparing the proficiency of US students with those in the rest of the world. Thirty one per cent of US students are proficient in reading, and the US ranks 17th among the 65 countries that participated. This study is by Paul E. Peterson, Carlos Xabel Lastra-Anadon, Eric A. Hanushek and Ludger Woessmann, Fall, 2011.
Librarians in the U.S. from 1880-2009 - Based on US census data. There is information on the number of librarians, salaries, age, and more. This is from the Oxford University Press blog, June 20, 2011.
How Libraries Stack Up: 2010 - A report on the social, cultural and economic impact of libraries on American life by OCLC.
The Nation's Report Card on Reading 2009 - This study released in 2010 shows that 8th grade reading scores have risen, but that 4th skills have remained the same as in 2007.
Basic Reading Skills and the Literacy of the America's Least Literate Adults - This study released in May, 2009 finds that 14 per cent of the US adults age 16 and over have trouble with basic reading and writing. This study "presents new analyses from a nationally representative survey conducted in 2003 by the US Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)".
The ILMS Study of Libraries, Museums and the Internet - February, 2008. This study finds the amount of use of the Internet is positively correlated with the number of in-person visits to museums and has a positive effect on in-person visits to public
libraries. This study is in pdf format.
The Nation's Report Card: Reading 2007 - This study of 4th and 8th graders shows that gains are being made, but that the gap between minority and white students was not closing. Girls are still reading better than boys.
State and County Estimates of Low Literacy - Determine the per cent of adults with low literacy in an area or compare two states or counties. By the IES Institute of Educational Statistics.
Leaders and Laggards - A state by state report card on educational effectiveness by the U.S.Chamber of Commerce.
School Library Impact Studies - A review of findings and a guide to sources. A comprehensive review with an extensive bibliography which was conducted by Francis Gretes, August, 2013.
School Libraries Count - The final reports on the AASL surveys of school libraries in the years from 2007 to 2012. The full reports may be viewed online or downloaded in pdf format.
Second Evaluation of the Improving Literacy Through School Libraries Program - by the Department of Education, 2009. This is a study of the effect of grant money from the No Child Left Behind program on recipients of these grants. The findings show that the grantees improved their collections and increased the number of hours the library was open to students. There is no clear effect on student achievement. This report is in the pdf form.
School Library Media Centers - Selected Results From the Education Longitudinal Study of 2002.This is a study of school library services for 15.000 tenth graders conducted by the National Center for Educational Statistics.
Fifty Years of Supporting Children's Learning - A History of Public School Libraries and Federal Legislation, 1953 - 2000. This report by Joan S. Michie and Barbara A. Holton contains a great deal of statistical information about school libraries during this period. The report is available as a pdf file.
Perceptions of Libraries and Information Resources, 2005 -
a worldwide study conducted by OCLC. The overall conclusion of this study is that people view libraries as a place to obtain books while electronic resources are frequently overlooked. The study is available in pdf format.
This site is maintained by Linda Bertland, retired school librarian,
Philadelphia, PA. Please address any comments, additions, or corrections to info@sldirectory.com.
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