What Kids Are Reading 2010 - This is a study done by Renaissance Learning (the producer of Accelerated Reader) on the most popular books read by students in grades 1 - 12. There are also some essays by authors, and some studies of individual schools. This is a pdf document.
The Condition of Education, 2010 - Many downloading options are presented here, but you may want to start with the Bowse the Condition of Education option. There are many statistics on elementary and secondary students. There is also a section on the reading habits of adults.
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)".
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 Libraries Count - The final reports on the AASL surveys of school libraries in the years 2007. 2008 and 2009. The full reports may be downloaded in pdf format.
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.
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.
Distribution of School Librarians in Colorado - The number of school librarians in Colorado has risen, but the increase is greater in metropolitan areas than in non-metropolitan areas. This study was done in 2008. It is in pdf format.
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.
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.
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