DOCUMENT RESUME

ED 354 919IR 054 505

AUTHOR Boucher, Julie J.; Lance, Keith CurryTITLE The Roles of Libraries in Education.FiSTITUTION Colorado State Dept. of Education, Denver. State

Library and Adult Education Office.PUB DATE Nov 92NOTE 28p.PUB TYPE Reports Descriptive (141)

EDRS PRICE MF01/PCO2 Plus Postage.DESCRIPTORS *Academic Achievement; Access to Education; Access to

Information; Educational Environment; ElementarySecondary Education; *Equal Education; High RiskStudents; Information Technology; *InformationUtilization; Library Networks; *Library Role; LibraryServices; *Public Libraries; *School Libraries;School Readiness; Users (Information)

IDENTIFIERS Colorado; Examples

ABSTRACT

Three sets of roles that libraries play in educationare identified. Each of the roles is explained, accompanied byrelevant statistics and examples. In the first place, librariesprovide access to education by Leaching information skills, byproviding leadership and expertise in the use of information andinformation technologies, and by participating in networks thatenhance access to resources outside the school or community.Secondly, libraries help enure equity in education by: (1) helpingchildren start school ready to learn; (2) addressing the needs ofstudent most at risk; (3) providing access to information and ideasunimpeded by social, cultural, and economic constraints; (4) ensuringfree and equal access to information and ideas without geographicconstraints; and (5) helping students stay free of drugs andviolence, in an environment conducive to learning. A third role isthat of impacting academic achievement for individuals and assistingthem in lifelong learning, preparing individuals for productiveemployment, promoting the enjoyment of reading, promoting functionalliteracy among adults, preparing individuals for responsiblecitizenship, and equipping the United States to be first in the worldin science and mathematics achievement. Specific examples illustrateColorado libraries that carry out these roles. (SLD)

**********************************************************************Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made

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The Roles ofLibraries inEducation

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATIONOffice of Educational Research and Improvement

EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATIONCENTER (ERIC)

r This document has been reproduced asreceived Porn the person or organizationoriginating itMinor changes have been made to improvereproduction quality

Points of view or opinions stated in this docu.went do nor necessarily represent oiticralOE RI POStIrOo or policy

Julie J. Boucher

Keith Curry Lance

LibraryResearchService

State Library & Adult Education Office

November cde1992 Colorado Department of Education

201 E. Colfax AvenueDenver, Colorado 80203

"PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE THISMATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY

u111 t

2

EL'SiTO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCESINFORMATION CENTER (ERICI."

The Roles ofLibraries inEducation

111=11111111ffir MINIMIIM11111111111111

Julie J. Boucher

Keith Curry Lance

November1992

Library Research ServiceKeith Lance or Julie Boucher201 East Colfax Avenue, Room 309Denver, Colorado 80203-1704

Voice: (303) 866-6737 or 866-6927Fax: (303) 866-6940Internet: klance@csn.orog

Stale Library & Adult Education OfficeNancy M. BoltAssistant Commissioner

Colorado Department of EducationWilliam T. RandallCommissioner

The Roles of Libraries in Education

The challenge has been made. After the President's Education Summit withGovernors, the president and governors of the United States jointly adopted in 1991six National Education Goals. Shortly thereafter, these goals were adopted by theColorado State Board of Education. In implementing these America 2000/Colorado2000 goals, communities throughout the United States are seeking to transformAmerica into "a Nation of Students" and to make themselves into "places wherelearning can happen."

Do Colorado libraries have roles to play in this movement for educational reform?Most Coloradans answer this question with an emphatic yes. Pursue the matter,however, and most people are unable to support their answer with specifics.

tact, discussions of the roles of libraries in education predate theAmerica2000/Colorado 2000 effort. In 1987, the American Library Association publishedPlanning and Role-Setting for Public Libraries, a manual which identifies eight majorroles which such libraries might play in their communities. These roles address thealternative ways in which public libraries contribute to lifelong learning--before, as, andafter people pass through the formal educational system.

In 1988, the American Association of School Librarians and the Association forEducational Communications and Technology collaborated on the development ofInformation Power: Guidelines for School Library Media Programs. This documentasserts that "The mission of the library media program is to ensure that students andstaff are effective users of ideas and information." In claiming that mission, howeverlibrarians and educational media specialists realized that they faced several challenges.

In 1992, the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor, through its Commission onAchieving Necessary Skills (SCANS), addressed America 2000 in Learning a Living: ABlueprint for High Performance. That report calls particular attention to the centralimportance of new information technologies and new kinds of instructional materials.

Drawing on all of these §ources, this document identifies three sets of roles whichlibraries play in education. Each of these roles is asserted and explained, asnecessary, and accompanied by relevant statistics and examples.

1

America 2000 &Colorado 2000

National & State Education Goals1isBy the year 2000 ...

All children ... will start school ready to learn.

The high school graduation rate will increase to at least 90 percent.

... every school ... will ensure that all students learn to use their minds well, so theymay be prepared for responsible citizenship, further learning, and productiveemployment in our modern economy.

U. S. students will be first in the world in science and mathematics achievement.

Every adult ... will be literate and will possess the knowledge and skills necessaryto compete in a global economy and exercise the rights and responsibilities ofcitizenship.

Every school ... will be free of drugs and violence and will offer a disciplined

h.

environment conducive to learning.

Source: National goals for education (1990). Washington, D.C.: Executive Office ofthe President. pp. 4-8.

2

Planning & Role-Setting forPublic Libraries

Public Library Roles

Community Activities Center III The library is a central focus point for communityactivities, meetings, and services.

Community Information Center The library is a clearinghouse for currentinformation on community organizations, issues, and services.

Formal Education Support Center The library assists students of all ages inmeeting educational objectives established during their formal courses of study.

Independent Learning Center The library supports individuals of all ages pursuinga sustained program of learning independent of any educational provider.

Popular Materials Library The library features current, high-demand, high-interestmaterials in a variety of formats for persons of all ages.

Preschoolers Door to Learning The library encourages young children to developan interest in reading and learning through services for children, and for parents andchildren together.

Reference Library The library actively provides timely, accurate, and usefulinformation for community residents.

Research Center The library assists scholars and researchers to conduct in-depthstudies, investigate specific areas of knowledge, and create new knowledge.

ImmilimiNommmSource: Planning and role-setting for public libraries (1987). Chicago and London:American Library Association. p. 28.

3

Information Power

Challenges for School Library Media Programs

To provide intellectual and physical access to information and ideas for a diversepopulation whose needs are changing rapidly.

To ensure equity and freedom of access to information and ideas, unimpeded bysocial, cultural, economic, geographic, or technologic constraints.

To promote literacy and the enjoyment of reading, viewing, and listening for youngpeople at all ages and stages of development.

To provide leadership and expertise in the use of information and instructionaltechnologies.

To participate in networks that enhance access to resources located outside theschool.

Source: Information power: guidelines for school library media programs (1988).Chicago and London: American Library Association and Washington, D.C.:Association for Educational Communications and Technology. pp. 3-12.

4 4

A SCANS* Report forAmerica 2000

On Instructional Technology

A 1990 study from the Congressional Office of Technology Assessment pointedout that, in its operations and purposes, education is very much like the informationindustry in the private sector. But unlike other information industries ... which havebeen remade by technology and its applications, the information-technology revolutionof the last generation has had little effect in education. The basic technology availableto most teachers throughout the United States in 1992 is too close to the technologyof 1892: textbooks, blackboards, and chalk.

Yet technologies offering the promise of revolutionizing teaching and learning arereadily available. CD/ROM (compact disk/read only memory) players, personalcomputers, and integrated learning systems are currently being used effectively in anumber of schools across the country. The new CD-I (compact disk interactive)technology and broadcast-based interactive video will be on the consumer market thisyear. These technologies are capable of providing multiple learning contexts andresources for students in cost-effective ways.: delivering self-paced instruction,monitoring and continuously assessing learning, and placing students in real-life andreal-work simulations with multimedia presentations.

On Instructional Materials

Materials are needed for the teachers of mathematics, science, English, history,and geography ... A similar need exists for teachers of art, foreign language, Englishas a Second Language (ESL), and vocational courses. Finally, "second chance,"proprietary schools, and community colleges need instructional materials for theircurricula.

High-quality materials are expensive to develop. The investment--whether made bythe public or private sector--can be justified only if many students use the materialsover a period of years.

* The Secretary's Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills

Source: Learning a living: a blueprint for high performance: a SCANS report forAmerica 2000 (1992). Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Labor. pp. 44-46.

5LJ

P

ROLES OF LIBRARIES IN EDUCATION

PROVIDING ACCESS TO EDUCATION

Libraries of all types teach information skills to their users.

Libraries of all types provide leadership and expertise in the use of information andinformation technologies that are revolutionizing teaching and learning.

Libraries of all types participate in networks that enhance access to resourceslocated outside the local school or community.

ENSURING EQUITY IN EDUCATION

Public libraries help children to start school ready to learn.

Public libraries and school library media centers address the needs of studentsmost at risk of dropping out before high school graduation.

Libraries of all types provide intellectual and physical access to information andideas for a diverse population with rapidly changing needs.

Libraries of all types ensure free and equal access to information and ideas,unimpeded by social, cultural, or economic constraints.

IN Libraries of all types ensure free and equal access to information and ideas,unimpeded by geographic constraints.

Public libraries and school library media centers help students stay free of drugsand violence and offer a disciplined environment conducive to learning.

6

,-)

ROLES OF LIBRARIES IN EDUCATION -- continued

IMPACTING ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT

Libraries of all types impact the academic achievement of students.

Libraries of all types prepare individuals for and assist them in lifelong learning.

Libraries of all types prepare individuals for productive employment in a high-performance, information-based economy.

II Public libraries and school library media centers promote the enjoyment of reading,viewing, and listening for people of all ages and stages of development.

Public libraries and school library media centers promote functional literacy amongadults, particularly as workers and parents.

Public libraries and school library media centers prepare individuals for responsiblecitizenship.

III School library media centers and academic libraries equip the U.S. to be first in theworld in science and mathematics achievement.

Libraries of all typesteach information skills totheir users.

IN Students in Steamboat Springs public schools arebeing taught state-of-the-art information skills.

They are taught to searcha variety of computerizeddatabase , includinglibrary catalogs,encyclopedias, television"feeds," and magazine andnewspaper articles.Students learn to thinkcritically--to makechoices from the vastarray of informationdisplayed on the computerscreen. They learn toexpand or narrow searchstrategies to find pertinentinformation.

IIMIMM111111111=1111111111=1

"In the five yearsparents nurture andprepare a child toenter kindergarten,the world doubles itsbody of information.Before that samechild becomes afreshman in highschool, the amount[of information]triples."

Jayne HillMedia Specialist

Steamboat SpringsHigh School

8

"Cot.,peration inAction" unites teachersand the library mediacenter at AlturaElen.entary School andthe Northeast ReadingCenter of Aurora PublicLibrary in resourceteaching students rangingfrom kindergarten to fifthgrade.

Each month, a differentgrade of studentsparticipates in a researchproject combining theresources of the publiclibrary and the schoollibrary media center.

Families are invited to viewcompleted projects at thepublic library, and canread about them in thepublic library's newsletter,Library Times.

This year, media specialistJan Gieskieng and Alturateachers are planningunits to integrate readingand language artsthroughout the curricula.

Libraries of all typesprovide leadership andexpertise in the use ofinformation andinformation technologiesthat are revolutionizingteaching and learning.111111111=11111111 111110111M1=

In 1991, three out of five Cdorado public librarieshad microcomputers for public use. Of these, nineout of ten had modems, enabling them totelecommunicate with other computers. Frequently, thepublic library is the only place in a community whereresidents can find a microcomputer for public use.

In 1989, three out of four school library mediacenters in Colorado had microcomputers. Theyaverage eight computers and 100 software packagesper LMC.

Although 8.8 million print volumes still comprise thelargest collections in Colorado's public libraries, manynon-print formats are becoming common. In 1991, thestate's public libraries reported

105,00054,00020,5007,600

120

audio cassettesvideo cassettescompact diskscomputer software packages120 works on CD-ROM

9

The library media center atKim School, a K-12 school inrural southeastern Colorado,has made a "Quantum Leap" toupdate and expand itsreference services.

In 1991, library media specialistBurnette Patterson won aLibrary Services & ConstructionAct grant to purchase amicrocomputer, modem, andprinter; a CD-ROM player; afax machine; and asubscription to DIALOG onlineservices.

Students use the computer tosearch library catalogsstatewide. The CD-ROM playerpermits them to access amultimedia encyclopedia of text,images, and sound. DIALOGallows them to search over 90databases including the full-textUPI news service, WashingtonPost, and Soviet Press as wellas specialized databases onscience, agriculture, medicine,and education.

The fax machine providesalmost immediate access tomaterials it used to take weeksto obtain via "snail mail.' Thenearest public library is 45 milesaway, so the school librarymedia center is a communityresource as well.

Libraries of all typesparticipate in networksthat enhance access toresources located outsidethe local school orcommunity.

i A unique alliance has been formed between PuebloSchool District 60 and the University of SouthernColorado. The "Library Resource Linkage" projectmakes the four Pueblo high school libraries branchesof the USC library. High school and university studentsare now able to use these libraries interchangeably,thanks to links that include a common automatedcatalog, extended borrowing privileges, and acourier service. These library links support theuniversity's goal "to function as the major educationalresource for cultural, industrial, and economic growththroughout the southeastern Colorado region."

The Colorado Library Card program allows librarypatrons to check out materials from any participatinglibrary in the state free of charge. Libraries of all typesacross the state are currently signing up for theprogram. Libraries which join receive a list of allparticipating libraries and are encouraged to place CLCstickers on their patrons' local library cards.

10

it

The Access Coloradolibrary and informationnetwork will enableanyone in Colorado with amicrocomputer and amodem to dial into 165library catalogs toll-free.Existing library networksprovide free dial access toselected catalogs in majorurban calling areas, butthat leaves approxi-matelyone-third of Coloradanswithout such access.

Access Colorado isexpected to:

expand access toinformation resources forlib..ary users,support educationalopportunities for studentsof all ages,enhance distancelearning programs,acquaint people withusing computers tolocate information,lure information-intensivebusiness to the state,whelp health careprofessionals keepcurrent on advances intheir fields, andlocate social servicesfor people in need.

Public librarieshelp children tostart schoolready to learn.

Three out of four Colorado public librariesemphasize the role of Preschoolers Door toLearning. This role involves encouragingyoung children to develop an interest inreading and learning through services forchildren, and for parents and children together.

The Oak creek Publ;cLibrary, a member ofSouth Routt LibraryDistrict, and the localelementary school sharetheir children'scollections. During thepublic library's summerreading program,materials from the schoollibrary media centersupplements theircollection. During theschool year, the publiclibrary loans sets ofmaterials to the localelementary school.

III In 1991, Colorado'spublic libraries offeredover 22,500 story hoursand other children'sprograms.

Attendance at thoseprograms by children andparents exceeded533,000.

Of the 23.9 millionloans of library materialsduring 1991, 9.6 millionwere materials designedfor children and checkedout by them or theirparents.

11

Emily Sutton, children'slibrarian at Canon CityPublic Library, believes insharing her love ofreading with as manychildren as possible.Since not all childrencome to the library, shegoes to them. Shedeveloped an outreachprogram to read tochildren in nearbypreschools and day carecenters, including apreschool fordevelopmentallydisadvantaged children.

She also has weekly storytimes at the library."Tales for Two" year oldsinclude singing and fingerplays as well as readingstories aloud. Three tofive-year olds hear morecomplicated storiesemphasizing new vocabu-lary. These programsintroduce very youngchildren to social groupsand prepare them to learnto read. An evening storyhour allows parents toaccompany their childrento hear bedtime storiesand poetry.

Public libraries andschool library mediacenters address theneeds of students mostat risk of dropping outbefore high schoolgraduation.

1111111111111=

Lorena Mitchell, librarymedia specialist forAragon and Carsonmiddle schools, helpsplan curricula andinterdisciplinary units as amember of teachingteams. Teachers referstudents who arereluctant to read to her.She spends one-on-onetime with such students,discussing their interestsso she can suggestspecific books.

Because some studentssee her zn a different rolefrom the classroomteacher, they talk freelywith her. She feels it isimportant to developrelationships with at-riskstudents to get them tocome into the library-and to keep themreturning.

Disadvantaged inner-citystudents in the DenverPublic School Districtbenefited from the DenverPublic Library's 1991"Read Aloud" program.

Two readers presentedbooks to 20 classes aweek for three ten-weekperiods. At the finalsession, each childreceived a book to keep.

Teachers praised theprogram, commenting onthe children's increasedability to concentrate,vocabulary, and familiaritywith authors andillustrators.

II Another DPL outreachprogram allows authorsand children to meettogether. Sets of anauthor's books are loanedto nearby schools forcnildren to read. Theauthor is invited to speakat several branches, andschoolchildren are invitedto attend. The authorsserve as positive rolemodels to the children,and help to make theworlds of reading andlearning moreaccessible than theymight be otherwise.

Libraries of all typesprovide intellectual andphysical access toinformation and ideas fora diverse population withrapidly changing needs.Library collections are beginning to represent thediversity of a changing society. Libraries whichformerly collected materials based on narrow,traditional definitions of Euro-American educationalvalues now find they are collecting materials fromaround the world for numerous fields.

The library is the only institution on campus which interacts withall students, regardless of area of study. The library has a greatability to adapt and manage change. Library staff can teach thechanging skills needed to find information to foster lifelonglearning. ... At large institutions, the library may be the only placewhere students can count on receiving individual attention andhelp.

Carla Stoffle"A New Library for the New Undergraduate"

Library Journal, September 1, 1989

Users of public and school libraries rely more andmore on the range and depth of information inacademic library collections to supply them withmaterials. This is reflected in the following interlibraryloan statistics:

Loans to Colorado libraries by top fiveacademic lenders, January - June, 1992

UniverSity of ColOrado (boulder) ;`97Colorado State University 5,983University of Northern ColoradoAuraria 4,718University; of. Denver ?pa

13

A comparison of 1985 and1990 public librarystatistics reflects both theincreasing amount ofaccumulated informationand the emergence of aninformation-basedeconomy:

1985 6,160,1801990 11,747,632% Change 91%

trOtla19851990% Change

19851990% Change

15,949,07921,258,654

33%

2,033,3562,919,295

44%

intern& loans provkcied1985 49,9551990 115,198% Change 131%

Inter i19851990% Change

),#r*ItOON: d.57,42397,084

69%

Libraries of all typesensure free and equalaccess to information andideas, unimpeded bysocial, cultural, oreducational constraints.

Prices of Books and Periodicals Skyrocket

Year

91989191991

1 2 (1-

Percent Change

ConsumerPrices (CPI)

4.8

Book &PeriodicalPrices (LPI)

8.3

4.2 9.4

Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics,Research Associates of Washington

Prices of books and periodicals have beenincreasing at double the general rate of inflationsince 1988. To combat these dramatic increases,many libraries are forgoing conventional printsubscriptions to periodicals in favor of microfilm, CD-ROM, or online access on demand. Examples:INFOTRACK is a well-indexed system of easy-to-usebusiness magazines available cn microfilm or CD-ROM.Carl Systems' UNCOVER provides online access totables of contents and fax access to articles. DIALOGoffers full text of articles from popular magazines likeCONSUMER REPORTS, not just citations andabstracts.

14

I 7

In The LearningResources Center atPikes Peak CommunityCollege produces andtransmits instructionaltelevision (ITV) tostudents within a 35 mileradius of the campus.Students watch at homeand interact with theinstructor via telephone.The LRS staff consultswith teachers oninstructional design (bothpreparation andpresentation) and airs theprogram signal.

IN provides distancelearning opportunities to:

rural high schoolstudents who have limitedopportunities foradvanced or specializedclasses and

adults who lack basicskills in English andMath and the confi-dence to attendconventional classes.

IN students can searchthe LRC catalog bycomputer from mostnearby public andacademic libraries,including any branch ofPikes Peak Library District,the University of Coloradoat Colorado Springs, andColorado College.

Libraries of all typesensure free and equalaccess to information andideas, unimpeded bygeographic constraints.

E Oak Creek PublicLibrary, a member ofSouth Routt LibraryDistrict, serves as thelibrary for extensionclasses for ColoradoNorthwesternCommunity College inRange ly. Students in OakCreek use a telephoneaudio bridge andcomputer links toparticipate in classes onthe Range ly campus.

Marie Deherrera,director of the ConejosCounty Public Library,provides outreachservices to homeboundsenior citizens. Eventhough they cannot visitthe library, they are nowreading materials matchedto their individual tastes.Magnifying glasses andlarge print materials areavailable for those whcneed them.

=D.E As Mesa State College prepares to offer classes inMontrose, the college library is contracting withMontrose Library District to provide services forstudents. The college and Mesa County Valley schooldistrict share their professional collections ofeducation materials, benefiting the college's studentsand professors as well as teachers in the district.

15

Students at FrontRange CommunityCollege live throughoutthe Denver metropolitanarea. For that reason,staff of the FRCC librarymedia center maintainstrong ties to ..oany othermetro area libraries,including the Universityof Colorado at Boulder,Regis College,Westminster PublicLibrary, BroomfieldPublic Library, and theAurora BusinessResource Center atAurora Public Library.As a result, students wholive near these librariesare able tc, obtain thelibrary support they needfor their studies.

The FRCC library mediacenter and WestminsterPublic Llibrary aremaking plans forcooperative collectiondevelopment andtelephone referenceservices to furtherstrengthen their support ofFROG students.

Public libraries andschool library mediacenters help studentsstay free of drugs andviolence and offer adisciplined environmentconducive to learning.

Colorado's public libraries not only supportschools, but offer collections, pograms, andstaff which provide a positive alternative todrugs, violence, and other social problemswhich discourage ;earning.

Of the state's 131 public libraries in 1990, allmaintained collections of materials designed forchildren.

In addition,121 offered programs for schoolchildren,

20 employed staff trained to serve them, and11 had entire departments assigned to serving

the special need of children and/or youngadults.

Also, in 1990,112 public libraries had young adult collections,66 offered programs for young adults, and20 employed staff trained to serve them.

16

From ColoradoSprings to SteamboatSprings to PagosaSprings, libraries aredevelopingcooperative projectswhich transcend socialand cultural divisionsto foster a pro-educationenvironment. Theseprojects bridge gapsbetween publiclibraries and schoollibrary media center s,teachers and parents,parents and children,school hours andafter-school hours,gifted and talentedstudents and at-riskstudents.

Libraries of all typesimpact academicachievement of students.

The public library provides "an invisiblesupport to public education," according toPam Sandlian of the children's department atDenver Public Library. More and moreteachers are relying on the public library tosupplement school resources.

Public school students in Sterling, Colorado, benefitfrom cooperation between their library media centersand their public library. Teachers send "AssignmentAlert" bulletins to public library staff, who collect andput on reserve all materials on a particular topic. Thiscommunication ensures that students do not go to thepublic library only to learn that someone else hasalready checked out all of the appropriate materials.

Students in Fremont County high schools havealmost immediate access to about 200 differentperiodicals thanks to a fax network which links the fivehigh school libraries to the Canon City Public Library.

The Pueblo Community College library ensuresthat students in the college's Canon City classes canfind reference and course materials at their publiclibrary.

Children areencouraged to readduring school vacation bythe Denver PublicLibrary's summerreading program.Children who meetreading goals receiveprizes, such as tickets tothe Museum of NaturalHistory, the Zoo, Parks &Recreation Departmentswimming pools, andElitch's Amusement Park.Next summer, theColorado Rockies will of-fer baseball tick(

Almost one-third ofColorado's public librariesemphasize the role offormal educationsupport center. Theseare public libraries thatassist students of all agesin meeting educationalobjectives establishedduring their formalcourses of study.

School library media centers impactacademic achievement of students.

A study of 221 Colorado publicschools during the 1988-89 school yearprovides evidence of the positive impactof library media centers on academicachievement. it rules out the effects ofselected school and communityconditions which might have explainedaway this relationship.

1111=M1111

The findings of this study indicatethe importance of library mediaexpenditures--and particularly the staffand collections they make possible--inpromoting academic achievement. Theimportance of the library mediaspecialist's instructional role is alsoverified.

Where LMCs are better funded, academic achievement is higher,whether their schools and communities are rich or poor and whetheradults in the community are or poorly educated.

Better funding for LMCs fosters academic achievement by providingstudents access to more library media staff and larger and morevaried collections.

II Among predictors of academic achievement, the size of the LMC staffand collection is second only to the absence of at risk conditions,particularly poverty and low educational attainment among adults.

Library media expenditures and staffing tend to rise and fall withtotal school expenditures and staffing.

Students whose library media specialists participate in theinstructional process tend to be higher academic achievers.

The report on this study includes the most current and comprehensiveannotated bibliography on this subject and a timeline illustrating theevolution of such studies.

18

Libraries of all typesprepare individuals forand assist them inlifelong learning.

NIIIIIMINIM1111111111111111111MI

Almost half of Colorado's public librariesemphasize the role of independent learningcenter. In addition to pursuing formaleducation, people also come to the library toanswer questions of their own from "whichauthor wrote Rip Van Winkle" to "how to start asmall business."

Percent of Colorado public libraries by selectedroles:

III independent Learning CenterIII Reference Library111 Community Activities Center

19

32%

Sisson Memorial Lib-rary, which serves UpperSan Juan Library District,promotes lifelonglearning throughcommunity service,according to its director,Lenore Bright.

Thanks to collaborationwith the Family LearningCenter, library users canborrow library materialsabout being a parent andraising children.

Students at the localelementary school--lessthan a block from the newpublic library--visit weeklyto check out books, andfourth graders read sto-ries aloud to Head Startpreschoolers. Books arealso loaned to classroomcollections, luring childrenback to the public libraryfor more stories by theirfavorite authors.

Adult literacy classesfirst offered by the libraryare still the only onesavailable to adult newreaders in Archuletacounty.

Public libraries promotefunctional literacy amongadults.

At libraries, students in English as a SecondLanguage, Adult Basic Education, and adultliteracy programs find:

I meeting places,librarians who can aid in selecting materialsto support such programs, and

111 a central place to store such materials wherestudents of any age or ability can use themto support their educational goals.

Adult new readers who cannot--or choose not to --attend classes of the Adult Basic Education programbegun by Upper San Juan Library District can checkout videotapes of the classes from Sisson Library.

Of Coloradans ages 25 and over in 19901

118,252 (5.6%) had not completedninth grade, and

328,056 (15.6%) had not graduated fromhigh school.

20

Sterling Public Librarysupplies an office, meetingspace, and materials for theonly literacy program in thatsmall northeastern Coloradocounty. An average of 30adults participate each week.Following are excerpts from aletter by e student:

I am a 35 year old singleparent of two ... I came to thelibrary one night with my kids.I saw a sign that saidsomething to the effect that wewill help you learn how to read.I didn't tell my kids where Iwas going because I thoughtthey would be ashamed of me.But every Thursday night they'dask me where I was going.So, I finally told them that I wasgoing to the library to learnhow to read better.

One Thursday night my son,who has had learningproblems asked if he could goalong. I said, no. This is noplace to go and play around.This is a place for people whoreally want to learn how toread. He said, I'm tired ofbeing called stupid, I reallywant to go and learn too. Sofrom that time on [my son] andI come every Thursday nighttogether. I feel I am learning alot. I think I read better nowthan when I first started. Iknov [he] does.

This program may give to myson the chance I didn't havewhen I was his age. Maybethis program can make iteasier for him to reach hisgoals. Thanks to this program,maybe some day I can be backin college fulfilling my goals.

Libraries of all typesprepare individuals forproductive employment ina high-performance,information-basedeconomy.

Frequently, libraries are the only places in thecommunity where free public access toemerging information technologies is available.

In 1991, of 131 public libraries, 99 offermicrocomputers and telecommunications access toonline database services, and 47 have faxmachines. These libraries also offer access to almost7,800 software packages and 46 CD-ROMdatabases. =1

In 1989, the typical school library media center inColorado offered access to 20 software packagesand two microcomputers.

21

II In 1990, Colorado's 27public college anduniversity librariesprovided access to over1,000 softwarepackages, CD-ROMs,and other machine-readable materials.These libraries alsoconducted almost 300searches of onlinedatabases per typicalweek.

Public libraries promotethe enjoyment of reading,viewing, and listening forpeople of all ages andstages of development.

II In collaboration with CARL Systems, staff from theChildren's Department of Denver Public Library aredeveloping a graphical interface to the library's onlinecatalog for children.

This Apple Library of the Future project will helpchildren locate books and other materials in the library.Designed for Apple's icon-oriented, point-and-clickMacintosh environment, this "kid's catalog" will permitchildren to browse the collection and to seek materialsfor a particular author, title, or subject.

This interface will enable children to find materials theywant or need on their own terms. Once a particularbook is identified, the child can call up a scannedimage of its cover and a map with little footstepsshowing the way from the catalog to its place on thelibrary's shelves.

Eventually, this child-friendly catalog will integratesound and video to create a multimedia version of thelibrary's catalog.

Considering the popularity of recent demonstrations,children may find their parents and grandparents usingthe "kid's catalog" as well.

22

or-

The role of popular materialslibrary is emphasized by 87percent of Colorado's publiclibraries.

In 1991, Coloradans visitedtheir public libraries over 11.1million times.

The same year, these publiclibraries made over 23.9 millionloans of books and othermaterials to Coloradans of allages.

In 1991, Colorado's publiclibraries offered over 27,000programs. These include storyhours and other children'sprograms as well as reading/discussion groups and otherevents for adults. Attendanceat such programs exceeded650,000.

In addition to 242 main orbranch libraries and 18bookmobiles, Colorado's publiclibraries also provided 228 otheroutlets, many of which arerotating selections of materialsdeposited in day care centers,youth centers, senior centers,retirement communities, andnursing homes.

The Colorado Talking BookLibrary serves over 9,000 clientswho cannot read conventionalprint materials due to blindness,visual impairment, mobilityhandicaps, or learningdisabilities. About 900 of theseclients are children and youngadults.

Libraries of all typesprepare individuals forresponsible citizenship.

NMI

Patrons of Pikes Peak Library District in ColoradoSprings can access community information databasesvia MAGGIE, the library's computer system.

The Community Connection contains ten databasesoffering local information from social service agenciesand child care providers to a calendar of local events.

City Hall Online presents minutes, future agendas, andvoting records of city council meetings. City pressreleases are also listed.

Loveland PublicLibrary offers localresidents comprehensiveaccess to local historymaterials. Localnewspapers, citydirectories, schoolscrapbooks, and othermaterials dispersedamong school and publiclibraries in Loveland andneighboring Berthoudhave been cataloged forthe local history collection.

Twenty-five to thirty long-time residents recordedoral histories.A detailed guidebook isavailable to anyoneinterested in using thecollection.11111111111111

53 Colorado publiclibraries emphasize therole of communityinformation center.

9 public and 9 academiclibraries are depositoriesfor Colorado statepublications.

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Two Colorado librariesare test sites for theSmithsonian Institution'sAmerican MemoryProgram: Norlin Libraryat the University ofColorado at Boulder andSisson library, Upper SanJuan Library District, inPagosa Springs.

This collection of CD-ROMs and video disksincludes historicspeeches, old movies,photographs, music, anddrawings. The user hasrandom access to multi-media information on anytopic selected from anypoint in U.S. history.

Children use it to see andhear about the ContinentalCongress or politicalcartoons. They can stopthe moving frame at anytime and produce aprintout. Older adults findthat they are not so afraidof computers after all andenjoy listening to historicalvoices from the past, suchas Thomas Edison. Thetechnology is easy for allages to use.

School library mediacenters and academiclibraries equip the U.S. tobe first in the world inscience and mathematicsachievement.

"The [San Luis Valley Regional Science Fair]project will allow younger students to doacademic preparation in their local communityworking with their own classroom teachers andmedia specialists," according to Adams StateCollege Library director James Hemasath.

The annual San LuisValley Regional ScienceFair has grown to includeover 500 elementary,middle, and high schoolstudents. To findinformation for projects,many of these studentstravel 30 to 140 milesround trip to use theAdams State CollegeLibrary. While high schoolstudents can successfullyuse college level materials,younger students areoften frustrated.

Adams State CollegeLibrary is offering asolution: buying andplacing science fair kits ineach of the 14 areaschool districts. Each kitwill contain science fairreference materialspublished by Facts onFile, inc., and designed foruse at elementary andmiddle school levels.Video materials will beincluded for teachersorganizing science fairsand helping students withprojects.

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Students at Kim Schoolin rural southeasternColorado use librarycomoputers to dial intoMAST--Math AndScience Teacher--aUniversity of NorthernColorado electronicbulletin board. MASTlists materials and summerworkshops available tohelp teachers teach mathand science. Studentscan ask questions andpost answers to math andscience problems.

11=1111111111111

A Kim high schoolsenior who has beenaccepted into theUniversity of Coloradoastrophysics programreceived a CD-ROM diskfeaturing a day'spictures from the spaceprobe, Explorer. Thestudent used the librarymedia center's CD playerto share with everyoneactual color pictures ofJupiter's rings.

Colorado State Board of Education1992

Sybil S. Downing, Chairman Member at LargeBoulder

Patricia M. Hayes, Vice Chairman Sixth Congressional DistrictEnglewood

Gladys S. Eddy Fourth Congressional DistrictFort Collins

Royce D. Forsyth First Congressional DistrictDenver

Thomas M. Howerton Fifth Congressional DistrictColorado Springs

Ed Lyell Second Congressional DistrictBroomfield

Hazel F. Petrocco Third Congressional DistrictPueblo

William T. RandallCommissioner of Education

State of Colorauo

Nancy M. BoltAssistant Commissioner

State Library and Adult Education Office201 E. Colfax Avenue

Denver, CO 80203

Federal funds from the Library Services and Construction Act/CFDA #84.034 and #84.035 arefinancing 100% of the costs of this publication from an approximate project amount of $8,000.

Nongovernmental sources are funding 0% of the publication cost.

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