School Library System: Advocacy Resources
School Libraries Impact Studies & Articles
NYLA/SSL Position Statement
The New York Library Association’s Section of School Librarians (NYLA/SSL) strongly
recommends that certified school librarians (school library media specialists) be required in all
schools, including elementary schools.Download your own: 2016 Edition SCHOOL LIBRARIES WORK! A Compendium of Research Supporting the Effectiveness of School Libraries
School Libraries Work! seeks to empower librarians, classroom teachers, school and district leaders, policy makers, parents and communities by arming them with the most powerful research-based frameworks, recommendations, and support for school library programs.
Strong School Libraries Build Strong Students
Lamos, S. (2013). Strong school libraries build strong students [Infographic]. Provided by the American Association of School Librarians
- a division of the American Library Association
Why school librarians matter: What years of research tell us
by Keith Curry Lance and Debra E. Kachel Phi Delta Kappan (The professional journal for educators) March 26, 2018
Statewide school library impact studies have been conducted in many U.S. states. A handful are listed below, starting with New York State.
Informational Brief: Impact of School Libraries on Student Achievement
To demonstrate the positive impact of school libraries on the implementation of the Regents Reform Agenda in New York, the New York Comprehensive Center (NYCC) was asked in the Spring of 2011 to prepare a brief which highlights specific examples of
programs in states that have had success utilizing school libraries to improve student achievement.
- The Impact of New York’s School Libraries on Student Achievement and Motivation: Phase ISmall, Ruth V.; Snyder, Jamie; and Parker, Katie. (2009). “The Impact of New York’s School Libraries on Student Achievement and Motivation: Phase I.” American Association of School Librarians.
- The Impact of New York’s School Libraries on Student Achievement and Motivation: Phase II—In-Depth StudySmall, Ruth V., and Snyder, Jamie. (2009). “The Impact of New York’s School Libraries on Student Achievement and Motivation: Phase II—In-Depth Study.” American Association of School Librarians.
- The Impact of New York’s School Libraries on Student Achievement and Motivation: Phase IIISmall, Ruth V.; Shanahan, Kathryn A.; Stasak, Megan. (2010). "The Impact of New York‘s School Libraries on Student Achievement and Motivation: Phase III", School Library Research. American Library Association.
Reports from other States:
- Report of Findings and Recommendations of the New Jersey School Library Survey Phase 1: ONE COMMON GOAL: STUDENT LEARNINGTodd, Dr. R. J., Gordon, Dr. C. A., Lu, Dr. Y.-L. (2010, July). Report of findings and recommendations of the New Jersey school library survey, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, School of Communication and Information. Center for International Scholarship in School Libraries (CISSL).
- Change in School Librarian Staffing Linked with Change in CSAP Reading Performance, 2005 to 2011Lance, K., & Hofschire, L. (2012). Change in School Librarian Staffing Linked with Change in CSAP Reading Performance, 2005 to 2011. Denver, CO: Colorado State Library, Library Research Service.
- Fast Facts: Increased Library Staff Links to Higher CSAP ScoresLance, K. C. (2010, November 23). Increased library staff links to higher CSAP scores [Fast Facts]. Retrieved from Library Research Service website
- School Librarians Continue to Help Students Achieve Standards: The Third Colorado Study (2010)Francis, B.H., Lance, K. C., Lietzau, Z. (2010). School librarians continue to help students achieve standards: The third Colorado study (2010). (Closer Look Report). Denver, CO: Colorado State Library, Library Research Service.
- How School Librarians Help Kids Achieve Standards The Second Colorado StudyLance, K. C., Rodney, M. J., & Hamilton-Pennell, C. (2000, April). How school librarians help kids achieve standards: The second Colorado study [Executive summary]. Retrieved from Library Research Service website
The Impact of School Libraries on Student Achievement: Exploring the School Library Impact Studies (2010)
Jamie Helgren, LRS Research Fellow, and Keith Curry Lance, consultant at RSL Research and former Director of the Library Research Service, discuss the impact of school libraries on student achievement in this seven part video series, produced by Sean Lamborne, LRS Research Fellow, in November 2010. View the videos below, or on Vimeo at http://vimeo.com/album/1480129.