The Library Research Service just released a study on the recession’s impact on public library use. The findings indicated that in 2006 to 2007 (prior to the recession), use, as measured by visits, circulation, program attendance, and Internet use, remained relatively static or decreased in Colorado public libraries.
In contrast, use increased by between 6% and 28% during the recession (2007 to 2009).
View the complete report as well as a Fast Facts highlighting key findings
The work you do to support your readers with the Summer Reading program is a great outreach to the community. But did you know that it also makes a difference in students’ reading abilities and ultimately—test scores?
What is summer loss?
The idea of students slipping in their reading abilities is called “summer loss.” The concept is based, in part, on the research of James Sangil Kim, Ed.D., assistant professor of education at Harvard University. Dr. Kim’s research suggests that while many students’ reading skills diminish over the summer months away from school, students who read a minimum of eight high-interest books at their Lexile level over the summer can achieve similar gains in reading growth as students who attend summer school.
How your actions help
Durham Public Schools in North Carolina have implemented a Lexile program based on Dr. Kim’s research with success. Watch a 4-minute video about how the program boosted their summer reading success. And here’s how the Durham County Library implemented the Lexile-based program with reading lists that could easily be replicated through WorldCat.org lists (rather than having to build a specific page on your Web site.) Continue reading ‘Help Prevent Summer Loss’
Elena Rosenfeld, Colorado Association of Libraries ALA Chapter Counselor, passed this press release on from ALA. Great statistics and information. How would you use this to advocate for libraries in your community?
New ALA report details economic trends in libraries and 2010 outlook
CHICAGO – At every turn, news reports and research indicate fairly dramatic changes in U.S. library funding, services and staffing – most occurring in the last 18 months. According to a new report prepared by the American Library Association (ALA), libraries of all types are feeling the pinch of the economic downturn while managing sky-high use.
Compiled from a broad range of available sources, The Condition of Libraries: 1999-2009 presents U.S. economic trends (2009), and summarizes trends in public, school and academic libraries across several library measures, including expenditures, staffing and services. The report also highlights trends in services provided to libraries by library cooperatives and consortia.
Continue reading ‘Conditions of U.S. Libraries: Trends 1999-2009′
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:
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
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