It’s no secret that we like numbers here at LRS. Give us a rich data set and we will get lost in it for days. However, we also recognize the power of good stories to resonate with people on a deeper level than numbers often do. Take Olly Neal’s story, for example. In the late […]
Based on standardized testing, the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) survey ranks countries and their success in educating K-12 students. We hear a lot about these rankings when they come out—I’ve heard/seen three news reports in the last week. Here’s a wonderfully concise summary of what the PISA study measures and its findings: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0D-JpL5fFgc. […]
Every year, LRS collects information from Colorado public libraries on challenges to their materials and services. Nearly 1 in 5 libraries reported a total of 48 challenges in 2009, the lowest number in a decade. For more details on the reasons for and results of those challenges, read our latest Fast Facts: Challenged Materials in Colorado Public Libraries, […]
For the past month, library staff have weighed in on our survey about the privatization of public libraries. More than 2,500 people from every state and 15 countries responded, making this our most popular 60-Second Survey yet. The nearly 1,500 comments we received with additional thoughts on privatizing the management of public libraries made it […]
American Libraries will be publishing Jamie Helgren’s (DU-LRS Research Fellow) article on the Future of the Book in their January/February issue. See the article, “Booking to the Future” online now at: http://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/features/11302010/booking-future. This article is based on the LRS 60-Second Survey: The Future of the Book conducted earlier this year. Several LRS staff members contributed […]
The 3rd Colorado Impact Study supports the findings of other studies on the relationship between school libraries and student achievement. For a quick look at the findings, check out these two Fast Facts: Increased Library Staff Links to Higher CSAP Scores Endorsed Librarian Positions in Colorado Public Schools Trending Downward For more on the school […]
Recently, the New York Times published an article about the privatization of public libraries. This article described the trend in some communities to turn over the management of public libraries to private organizations. In response to this article, library staff engaged in spirited online discussions about whether libraries should be privatized. Taking notice of these […]
The deadline for completing the 2010-11 Colorado School Library Survey has been extended to November 30, 2010. Participation by all public school libraries is vital! If you have not yet responded to the survey, it can be accessed at http://www.lrs.org/slsurvey. The data gathered in the annual school library survey provides library professionals with important information […]
Listen to Keith’s latest interview about the impact of school libraries and librarians on student achievement. The interview is part three in a series of reports Bob Edwards has done about libraries. This is a great interview to share with non-librarians that want (or need) to know more about the vital role of school librarians […]
Colorado’s “star” libraries include: Fleming Community Library Denver Public Library San Miguel Library District # 1/Telluride Swink School/Public Library La Veta Regional Library District Douglas County Libraries Ridgway Library District Pitkin County Library “The LJ Index of Public Library Service 2010, Library Journal’s national rating of public libraries, identifies 258 “star” libraries. Created by Ray […]
