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)".
2008 Kids and Family Reading Report - Conducted by Scholastic and
Yankelovich. Kids prefer paper to digital books and they prefer the books that they choose themselves. Parents need help with choosing books for children.
America's Vanishing Potential - By the 4th grade, half of White and Asian American children
are not reading on grade level and eighty per cent of Black, American Indian, and Hispanic children are not reading on grade level. This study is by The Foundation for Child Development and was
pubished in October, 2008.
Still at Risk: What Students Don't Know Even Now - A Common
Core report by Frederick M. Hess on the pathetically poor knowledge of history and literature of 17 year old students in the US. This study was
done in 2008.
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.
Libraries Losing Teens - An article in SLJ by Brian Kenney and
and Lauren Barak, Jan. 1, 2006 about a survey of teen library use conducted by YALSA and SmartGirl.org.
Reading on the Rise - A new study by the NEA and reported on Jan. 12, 2009 shows that the
amount of adult reading of literature has increased for the first time in 25 years. The greatest increase was in the amount of reading done by
young adults (ages 18 - 24 years of age). There was a very marked increase in the amount of reading by Hispanics and African Americans.
To Read or Not to Read: A Question of National Consequence - The NEA study of American reading
which was released in November of 2007. The study finds that Americans are reading less and that reading skills are declining. This study is must reading
for librarians.
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.
The SLJ School Library Spending Survey - by
Leslie Farmer and Marilyn Shontz, April 1, 2009. This is a survey of expenditures, salaries, collection size, and technology use.
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.
Automation Survey - A survey of the state of automation in
school libraries conducted by School Library Journal and San Jose State University in 2006.
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.
SLJ Technology Survey - A survey of technology and the school
library media specialists using it. By Sally Brewer and Peggy Milam, June, 2006.
The Impact of School Libraries on Student Achievement - by Michele
Lonsdale, 2003 for the Australian Council of Educational Research. This is a very comprehensive worldwide review of all studies of the
impact of school libraries. It also has an extensive bibliography.
What Does Your
Boss Think About You? - Survey reveals principals' lack of knowledge about what school librarians do. Article
by Debra Lau in School Library Journal, September, 2002.
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.
The Florida Media Study - These are highlights
of the Florida Media Study conducted in 2002/2003.
The Status of School Library Programs in Illinois
by Lou Ann Jacobs. This is a snapshot of the results in a special issue of Illinois Libraries, Fall, 2006. This issue is dedicated to school libraries
and is in pdf format.
MCAS and School Libraries: Making the Connection - The Simmons study by
James C. Baughman and Mary Eldringhoff, 2000, of the impact of school libraries upon student achievement on the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment
test scores. Available in pdf format.
Syracuse University Study of 4th Graders in New York - This study by Ruth Small and students at the
Center for Digital Literacy shows that 4th grade students in schools with school librarians score significantly higher on the English Language Arts test than
do students in schools with no librarians.
13,000 Kids Can't be Wrong - This article by Debra Lau Whelan in
School Library Journal, Feb., 2004, reports on the study Student Learning Through Ohio School Libraries which was conducted
by Ross Todd and Carolyn Kuhlthau. The study involved 13,000 students in
grades 3 through 12, and found that 99.4 per cent of the students believed that school libraries helped them to become better learners.
The Oregon Study - Conducted in 2002. Executive summary or
Power Point presentation. Also ordering instructions for the full study results.
Measuring up to Standards- The Impact of School
Library Programs and Information Literacy on Pennsylvania Schools. Study conducted in 2000 and available as a pdf document.
Texas Voters Love School and Public Libraries - A study by the Texas Library
Association found that Texas voters value school and public libraries, and support increased funding for them. 2009
Wisconsin 2006 Library Media Study - by the Department of Public Instruction. This
study shows the number of certified school library media specialists employed by school districts is declining.
School Library Impact Studies - Conducted by
Library Research Services. Results are in pdf format and include studies in Colorado, Michigan, Missouri, and New Mexico,
School Libraries and Students Achievement in Ontario
A study by the Queen's University and People for Education for the Ontario Library Association, April, 2006. The results show that the
presence of a school librarian increased 3rd and 6th graders' enjoyment of reading and also their reading test scores.
Library Statistics Program - of the Institute of Educational Statistics which
is part of the US Department of Education. There are statistical studies of many types of libraries.
Library Statistics - International library
statistics, and links to other statistical information. By the International Federation of Library Associations.
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.
Up to top