2009

Out for Life; Restorative Librarianship in the Colorado Department of Corrections

May 2009

A 2008 article in Public Libraries makes the case that there is “no greater need [for library services] than in the lives of incarcerated community members.”[note]Gilman, I. (2008). Beyond books: Restorative librarianship in juvenile detention centers. Public Libraries, 47(1), 59-66.[/note] While the focus of the article is on the role of librarianship in juvenile detention […]

What I Learned About the Value of an MLIS Degree: An LIS Student’s Perspective

April 2009

“I am torn between not recommending and recommending pursuing a MLIS degree… While I value my degree and what I have learned, entering the profession has been disappointing and frustrating.” “The job market is extremely glutted, while at the same time people outside of the profession are seeing less and less value in paying for […]

In Your Own Words: The Value of an MLIS

In May 2008, the LRS 60-Second Survey, “The Value of an MLIS to You,” was released, prompted by a 2008 posting on a Colorado-based library listserv that asked a simple question: Would you recommend an MLIS degree to a recent college graduate? Enthusiastic responses to the listserv question from dozens of people inspired the Library […]

Is it Worth It? The Perceived Value of an MLIS Degree in 2009

Would you recommend getting an MLIS to a new graduate? This question, posed on libnet (a Colorado-based library listserv), prompted an immediate flurry of thoughtful responses. The number and intensity of the responses inspired us to launch the Library Research Service’s inaugural 60-Second Survey in 2009, “The Value of an MLIS to You.” Distributed primarily […]

Book, Newspaper, and Periodical Prices, 2004-2010

February 2009

Books During times of a slowing economy and the tightening of city, state, and national budgets, it is important to prepare for how to best meet the needs of library patrons. Studying trends in library material price changes helps to anticipate the challenges of collection development. Libraries face ever-increasing prices for materials and on a […]

Colorado Public Librarian Salaries Keeping Pace with National Averages

February 2009

Librarian salaries in Colorado’s larger public libraries are keeping pace with national averages, according to data collected by the Library Research Service and the American Library Association’s (ALA) annual salary survey. Salaries for managers/supervisors in Colorado libraries were nearly equal to the national average. Salaries for all other positions lagged behind the national statistics by […]

Interlibrary Loan Among Academic Libraries – Ups and Downs in Colorado

January 2009

Interlibrary loan (ILL) in Colorado academic libraries is headed in 2 different directions, per figures reported by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).[note]NCES Academic Library Surveys for 2000, 2002, 2004, and 2006.  The Academic Library Survey (ALS) is conducted by the NCES biennially. Data is collected regarding library services, collections, library staff, expenditures, electronic […]