Fast Facts Reports

Challenged Materials in Colorado Public Libraries, 2006

December 2007

According to the American Library Association, a challenge is “an attempt to remove or restrict materials, based upon the objections of a person or group . . . thereby restricting the access of others.”[note]ALA Challenged and Banned Books page (accessed October 12, 2007) http://www.ala.org/ala/oif/bannedbooksweek/challengedbanned/challengedbanned.htm#wbc[/note] The Library Research Service annually collects data on challenged materials as […]

CSAP Scores Higher in Schools with Staffed Libraries

August 2007

The Colorado Department of Education recently released 2007 CSAP (Colorado Student Assessment Program) test results for schools throughout the state,[note]CSAP data accessed 8/2/07 from www.cde.state.co.us/cdeassess/documents/csap/csap_summary.html.[/note] and students in schools with staffed libraries performed better on the reading portions of the CSAP than their counterparts in schools without staffed libraries.[note]The term “staffed libraries” refers to schools […]

CTBL Provides Essential Service to Community

June 2007

In the fall of 2006, a patron survey was developed and administered to evaluate the current services of Colorado Talking Book Library and to plan for future services.[note]French, J. (2007). Colorado talking book library 2006  survey report. Library Research Service, Colorado State Library.[/note] Patrons, Colorado residents who are unable to read print materials, in over […]

Statewide Courier Saves Libraries Thousands in Shipping Costs Each Year

May 2007

During the months of October 2006 and February 2007, 27 public, academic, school, and special libraries in Colorado collected statistics on the number and format of items sent via the statewide courier service, operated by the Colorado Library Consortium (CLiC). The study was undertaken to determine the cost-effectiveness of the courier service. Without the presence […]

Is $40,000 the Magic Number?

April 2007

With such a wide range of salaries being offered to new Master of Library Science (MLS) graduates, it may be difficult to know just how much one should expect to be paid. It now appears that $40,000 may be the magic number. Colorado Public Library Annual Report Job Definitions Beginning Librarians: Staff with LIS master’s […]

Salaries of Staff Working in Archives

March 2007

The ALA-APA Non-MLS Salary Survey, the Society of American Archivists’ (SAA) A*CENSUS[note]“The 2004 A*CENSUS (Archival Census & Education Needs Survey in the United States) was conducted by a team of researchers from the Society of American Archivists (SAA) in conjunction with other archivist organizations” (A*CENSUS 2004: Data Collection Methodology Report, 2005, p. 2).[/note] survey and […]

Non-MLS Salaries in Public Libraries Disparate

March 2007

Library support staff are a vital part of many public libraries. They can be an integral part of a department’s services for their patrons. The ALA-APA Non-MLS Salary Survey is ALA’s first attempt to collect salary information nationally for all non-MLS staff not included in the ALA Survey of Librarian Salaries. The survey asked participating […]

Colorado Public Librarians Eligible for Public Assistance

December 2006

Based on the results of the 2005 Colorado Public Library Annual Report, many librarians in Colorado earn salaries that meet the income eligibility criteria for public assistance programs. These benefits are based on income and generally calculated for a family of four. Out of the 114 public libraries in Colorado, 63, or 55 percent, provide […]

Non-MLS Reference Salaries in Academic Libraries Lag Behind Peers

December 2006

Library staff who help patrons have a great impact on public perception of the library. The positions of associate librarian, technical assistant, clerks, and various other non-MLS staff are vital to several library services (see full report for position definitions). Many libraries, including academic libraries, use non-MLS staff to support reference areas. At every position […]

Earnings of Library Staff in Mountain West Low Compared to Workers in Similar Jobs

August 2006

According to the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) System, librarians maintain library collections, provide patron assistance for locating materials and reference information, and organize collections. Library clerks, on the other hand, compile records, shelve materials, and issue/receive materials. Librarians and library clerks perform work similar to that of professional and clerical staff in other fields such […]