Tag Archive for 'Library Research Services'

The Kids Have It! Children’s Use of Public Libraries Continues to Grow

According to a recent study by the Colorado State Library, Library Research Services, during the last decade, circulation of public library children’s materials and participation in public library programs for children increased significantly in the state.

In Colorado public libraries from 1998 to 2007…

  • The number of circulation transactions for children’s materials rose 41 percent from 13.5 to 19.1 million.
  • Attendance at children’s programs increased 53 percent, going from some 810,000 to 1.24 million.
  • The number of children’s programs showed the highest rate of increase at 58 percent, going from 31,165 to 49,136 programs annually.
  • Children’s circulation transactions totaled some 159.1 million and children’s program attendance totaled 10.2 million.

Clearly, public libraries are supporting children’s learning by collecting materials that children wish to read and providing appealing library-sponsored programs.
For more on this study, see http://www.lrs.org/

Colorado Summer Reading Study Released

The Colorado State Library, Library Research Service recently published a new edition of Fast Facts:

No. 263 Colorado Summer Reading Programs by Robbie Bravman Marks available online at:

http://www.lrs.org/documents/fastfacts/263_summer_reading.pdf

Some interesting numbers:

  • 1.5 million participants registered for summer reading programs in Colorado public libraries in the years 1998 through 2007.
  • In the last ten years, Colorado libraries experienced a 77% increase in summer reading registrants.
  • More than 8 in 10 Colorado public libraries used the 2007 Collaborative Summer Library them and resources provided by the Colorado State Library.

Hats off to all the librarians in Colorado who encourage children to read and have fun at their libraries during the summer.

View this and other Fast Facts at http://www.lrs.org/fastfacts.php