2017
Every year, the Library Research Service’s Public Library Annual Report surveys Colorado public libraries about challenges to their materials or services. The libraries that report receiving one or more challenges are then asked to provide additional information. This Fast Facts addresses the number, nature, and outcome of the challenges reported in 2016.
Postings for library jobs remained steady in 2016, according to LRS’s popular library job posting website, LibraryJobline.org. In 2016, 673 jobs were posted—the most ever since the service’s launch in 2007. Average hourly salaries for Academic library positions remained steady ($21.96) and Public library positions ($22.09) increased by 6% since 2015. The average hourly salary for School libraries ($19.22) recovered from its low in 2015 ($16.62). Read on to learn more about how the rest of 2016 shaped up.
The Colorado Talking Book Library (CTBL) provides free library services to Coloradans of all ages who are unable to read standard print materials because of physical, visual, or learning disabilities. The CTBL patron satisfaction survey has been regularly distributed to an age-stratified sample of patrons since 2004. Below are highlights from the 2016 survey, as well as other year-end statistics.
Check Out Colorado State Parks, the result of a partnership between Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the Colorado State Library, provides 287 Colorado libraries with two park passes and adventure backpacks filled with information and educational activities. Patrons of participating public, military, and academic libraries can check out a backpack for a week at a time to visit state parks for free. Between June and November 2016, 720 patrons completed a survey about their experience with the program:
The Colorado School Library Survey is administered each year by the Library Research Service, an office of the Colorado State Library. All traditional K-12 public educational institutions in Colorado are invited to participate. This report highlights results from the 2015-16 Colorado School Library Survey, which had a 37% response rate.
Founded in 2012, One Book 4 Colorado (OB4CO) is a statewide annual initiative that offers free copies of the same book to every 4-year-old in Colorado. In 2016, the book was Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae. More than 75,000 books were given away at more than 500 sites, including Denver Preschool Program preschools1 and both public and military libraries. Here we present survey results from caregivers and participating agencies to find out how the program went in 2016. Learn more about OB4CO at www.onebook4colorado.org.
