http://www.lrs.org/ Research and Statistics about Libraries - Academic en-us http://www.lrs.org/blog/rss.xml From ALA:
CHICAGO and#8211; At every turn, news reports and research indicate fairly dramatic changes in U.S. library funding, services and staffing and#8211; 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.
[More at: http://www.ala.org/ala/newspresscenter/news/pressreleases2010/january2010/outlook_ors.cfm]


Report: http://www.ala.org/ala/research/initiatives/Condition_of_Libraries_1999.20.pdf
Reports by library type: http://www.ala.org/ala/research/index.cfm
http://www.lrs.org/blog/viewitem.php?post=316 The report "Academic Libraries: 2008 First Look" presents tabulations for the 2008 Academic Libraries Survey (ALS) conducted by the US Department of Educationand#8217;s National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Look for statistical reports summarizing services, staff, collections, and expenditures of academic libraries in 2- and 4-year, degree-granting postsecondary institutions in the 50 states and the District of Columbia.

~Nicolle
steffen_n@cde.state.co.us http://www.lrs.org/blog/viewitem.php?post=314 A new Fast Facts, "Use of Statewide Databases Skyrockets in 2009: Patrons Benefit from Additional Databases and Training," has been published!

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This Fast Facts examines the use of electronic databases in Colorado libraries in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 and explores the impact of librarian training and a larger database package on overall database use.

To read this Fast Facts, visit our Fast Facts page or click on the title above!

- Lisa http://www.lrs.org/blog/viewitem.php?post=312 A new Fast Facts has been published! This Fast Facts (State's Collaborative Climate Fosters Interlibrary Loan in Colorado) examines interlibrary loan (ILL) use among Colorado's public and academic libraries, as well as how ILL use impacts circulation overall.

Read this Fast Facts by going to our Fast Facts page, or click the title above!

-Jamie http://www.lrs.org/blog/viewitem.php?post=310 Are you curious about the library job market in Colorado? Our latest Fast Facts, Library Jobs in Colorado: What Does LibraryJobline.org Tell Us?, analyzes the job postings on LibraryJobline.org since 2007. Some of the topics discussed are the total number of job postings, job postings by library type, and degree requirements. Read more about the changes (and similarities) over the past few years by clicking on the title above or by going to our Fast Facts page.

-Jamie
http://www.lrs.org/blog/viewitem.php?post=295 Find your academic library and compare it to peer libraries in your state or across the country using the Compare Academic Libraries tool on the NCES site. Data from the 2008 Academic Libraries Survey (ALS) is now accessible through this useful online comparison tool. According to Denise Davis, Director of the ALA Office for Research and Statistics, "Enhancements were requested to the search functions of the tool and data display, and they have been fully incorporated."

Academic Libraries Statistics Program: http://nces.ed.gov/surveys/libraries/Academic.asp

~Nicolle
steffen_n@cde.state.co.us
http://www.lrs.org/blog/viewitem.php?post=290 We asked and you told us! In fact we heard from nearly 2,000 respondents from each of the 50 states and 6 continents when we launched the first 60-Second Survey: "The Value of an MLIS to You." In addition, more than 1,000 respondents left over 56,000 words worth of comments further explaining their thoughts and feelings about the value of an MLIS degree. Clearly, respondents were passionate about this topic and to do it justice we are publishing three Fast Facts: one about the data, one about the comments, and one from an LIS student's perspective.

No. 269 - Is it Worth It? The Perceived Value of an MLIS Degree
No. 270 - In Your Own Words: The Value of an MLIS
No. 271 - What I Learned About the Value of an MLIS Degree: An LIS Student's Perspective

What is the value of an MLIS to you? I encourage you to share your perspective in the comment field.

~Nicolle
steffen_n@cde.state.co.us http://www.lrs.org/blog/viewitem.php?post=281 A new Fast Facts has just been published. Interlibrary Loan Among Academic Libraries - Ups and Downs in Colorado, examines interlibrary loan trends. Find out what is increasing and what is decreasing.

Read this Fast Facts and more at our Fast Facts page.

-Jamie http://www.lrs.org/blog/viewitem.php?post=269 How critical is reference to the survival of libraries? Should the library profession do more to promote reference services? In less than a minute you can tell us what you think about reference services.

Let us know what you think at: http://surveys.lrs.org/respond.php?sid=50

Why This Topic
The questions on this survey were inspired by a discussion on a national listerv for virtual reference librarians. It was a fascinating discussion with varied opinions being expressed on everything from usage to promotion. Of course, LRS staff were curious about what the folks in library land thought about these issues. So, here is the second LRS 60-Second Survey: Reference Service - Where is it Going?

About 60-Second Surveys
The 60-second surveys are intended to capture respondents' gut-reactions to questions about very specific topics. Intended to take less than a minute of the respondent's time, these are truly quickie surveys. This is not a scientific study, but rather a reader poll-style survey (think online magazine survey).

~Nicolle
steffen_n@cde.state.co.us http://www.lrs.org/blog/viewitem.php?post=265 "The tables in this publication include data on the number of staff employed in Title IV postsecondary institutions in fall 2007 by primary function/occupational activity, length of contract/teaching period, employment status, salary class interval, faculty and tenure status, academic rank, race/ethnicity, and gender. Also included are tables on the number of full-time instructional faculty employed in Title IV postsecondary institutions in 2007-08 by length of contract/teaching period, academic rank, gender, and average salaries."

Full report at: http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2009154

~Nicolle
steffen_n@cde.state.co.us

http://www.lrs.org/blog/viewitem.php?post=264 Registration and data collection for the 2008 Academic Libraries Survey (ALS) begins today, November 5. Conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the ALS is a biennial, voluntary survey of all libraries of degree-granting colleges and universities.

Data from this survey is used to represent academic libraries in the U.S. and Colorado--libraries like yours. So, here's your chance to count, if you'll pardon the pun.

According to NCES, "Congress uses the data to assess the need for revisions to existing legislation concerning postsecondary libraries and the allocation of Federal funds. Federal agencies use the data to evaluate and administer library programs. State education agencies, library associations, and researchers use the survey data to determine the status of academic library operations and the profession, and to analyze national and regional trends in academic library resources."

Last month letters with survey and login information were sent to library deans and "ALS key holders" (aka respondents). If your library did not receive this information or you have other questions, please contact the ALS Helpdesk at 1-877-749-4925 or govs.aclib@census.gov.


For more information visit...
NCES at: http://nces.ed.gov/surveys/libraries/academic.asp
Survey link: http://surveys.nces.ed.gov/libraries/als/
Colorado data: http://www.lrs.org/aca_stats.php
National data: http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/getpubcats.asp?sid=041#
ALS Helpdesk at 1-877-749-4925 or govs.aclib@census.gov

~Nicolle
steffen_n@cde.state.co.us
http://www.lrs.org/blog/viewitem.php?post=259 At the CAL Conference this week, the Colorado State Library booth will have a "Gaming Zone." Come play Wii video games with CSL staff. Not only will it be fun, but the LRS Research Fellows have compiled research on the connection between gaming and literacy, tips on how to create a gaming program at your library, and more. Come discuss and learn about the possibilities of gaming programs at the library.

Wii hope to see you there!

-Jamie
http://www.lrs.org/blog/viewitem.php?post=258