These findings and more are discussed in our newest Closer Look Report, “Change in School Librarian Staffing Linked with Change in CSAP Reading Performance, 2005 to 2011.”

~Linda

Do you like to write?

Do you want the opportunity to work with a variety of LIS professionals?

If you’re a current DU MLIS student and you answered “yes” to any or all of the above, we encourage you to apply for the LRS-DU Research Fellowship. Please see the description below for more information about the available positions (yes, there is more than one) and the application procedure.

(In case you are experiencing déjà vu… Yes, we have reopened the research fellowship search. We received feedback that the original deadline in December was ill-timed.)

Library Research Service (LRS) is excited to announce the availability of two Research Fellowship positions, available February 2012.  For over 15 years LRS has collaborated with the University of Denver Library and Information Science program to provide Fellowships to current DU LIS students.   LRS Fellowships are an excellent way to gain valuable professional experience and skills within a variety of research-related activities.  They also provide opportunities to publish and present findings at the local and national level.  LRS Fellows touch, to varying degrees, almost everything that the LRS produces, from blog posts and Fast Facts on LRS.org to research reports and presentations.

 The Positions

The first position is a one to two-year appointment (based on graduation date) located at the Colorado State Library in downtown Denver.  The person in this position will participate in the full breadth of activities and services that LRS performs, such as data collection and analysis, report writing, contributing to LRS.org and LibraryJobline.org, and enhancing LRS’s social networking presence. The position works 20 hours per week and offers flexible scheduling to fit with your graduate coursework and responsibilities. LRS Research fellows are employed on part-time, temporary, at-will bases, and earn $17.50 per hour.

The second position is an appointment as a contractor working with LRS and State Library staff on the State Library’s Public Computer Centers (PCC) in Colorado Libraries Project (http://coloradovirtuallibrary.org/btop/), a $3.3 million grant project that will create and equip computer centers in public libraries throughout the state. We anticipate approximately 400 contract hours, to be completed between February 2012 and June 2012. For the PCC project LRS’s responsibilities are data collection and analysis that contributes to project evaluation.

The Requirements

In addition to being currently enrolled in the University of Denver MLIS program, applicants must demonstrate solid writing skills, an interest in research and data collection, and an appreciation for the roles they play in supporting and advancing library services.  The ideal applicants for this position will be individuals with good project management skills who are equally at ease working independently and with a team.  They will have basic knowledge of technology and software solutions (word processing, spreadsheets, etc.).  Most importantly, they will be eager to learn and explore.

About LRS

LRS is a unit of the Colorado State Library, a division of the Colorado Department of Education.  Our mission is to provide library professionals, educators, public officials, and the media with research and statistics about libraries. We do this by conducting regular surveys of public, school, and academic libraries, and by making data available on LRS.org.  LRS also maintains LibraryJobline.org, the State’s online library job board.  For a fuller description of what we do, visit http://www.LRS.org.

The Application Process

Think LRS might be a good fit for you?  Applicants must complete and submit the following application materials by January 25, 2012:

• Online application:  http://surveys.lrs.org/respond.php?sid=133
• Resume
• Cover letter
• 3 – 5 page writing sample (this should be a previous work, such as a report or presentation for a class)

Please submit your resume, cover letter, and writing sample to Luisa Davila at Davila_L (at) cde.state.co.us.  Applicants will be emailed confirmation of their submission. Interviews will be conducted Friday, February 10,2012.

To learn more about our findings, click here to access the Fast Facts.

 Highlights from the report include:

• Academic libraries held approximately 158.7 million e-books and about 1.8 million electronic reference sources and aggregation services at the end of FY 2010.

• Academic libraries spent approximately $152.4 million for electronic books, serial backfiles, and other materials in FY 2010. Expenditures for electronic current serial subscriptions totaled about $1.2 billion.

• During FY 2010, some 72 percent of academic libraries reported that they supported virtual reference services.

• Academic libraries reported 88,943 full-time equivalent (FTE) staff working in academic libraries during the fall of 2010.

To view the full report please visit
http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2012365

From IMLS:  “The Institute’s analysis of the data showed that per capita visits and circulation rose in the century’s first decade. The number of public libraries increased during that period but not enough to keep pace with the rise in population. Library staffing remained stable, though the percentage of public libraries with degreed and accredited librarians increased.

The report also found that the nature and composition of collections in U.S. public libraries is changing, indicating that library collections are becoming more varied. Although the volume of print materials decreased over the 10 years studied, collections overall continued to grow because of increases in the number of audio, video, and electronic book materials.

The role of public libraries in providing Internet resources to the public also continued to increase. According to the report, the availability of Internet-ready computer terminals in public libraries doubled over the course of the decade.”

Press release: http://www.imls.gov/library_visits_at_historic_high.aspx

Report: https://harvester.census.gov/imls/pubs/pls/index.asp

IMLS: http://www.imls.gov/

We have made substantial revisions to the survey based on respondents’ comments to better reflect the current state of school libraries, and we look forward to getting the input of all Colorado public school librarians! The data gathered in the annual school library survey provides library professionals with important information for planning, evaluating, and budgeting. For questions regarding the survey, or to obtain your username and password, feel free to call Library Research Service at 303-866-6900 or email lrs@lrs.org to get your information.

~Linda

Based on data from public libraries in the 50 states and the District of Columbia, highlights from the 2009 Public Library Survey (PLS) include:

   * Visitation and circulation per capita have both increased in public libraries over the past 10 years. Per capita visitation increased 5 percent from the prior year. Visitation and circulation were highest in suburban public libraries.

   * The number of public libraries has increased over the past 10 years. However, this growth has been outpaced by changes in the population.

   * The nature and composition of collections in U.S. public libraries is changing, indicating the more varied types of materials found in modern public libraries. Although the volume of print materials has decreased over the past 10 years, collections overall continue to grow because of increases in the number of audio, video, and electronic book materials.

   * The role of public libraries in providing Internet resources to the public continues to increase. The availability of Internet-ready computer terminals in public libraries has doubled over the past 10 years. Internet PC use has also increased.

   * Public libraries have increased their program offerings to meet increased demand and to allow for more individualized attention through smaller class sizes. This is particularly true of public libraries in rural areas, where the number of programs per capita and attendance per capita are both higher than the national average.

IMLS Research PLS web page: http://www.imls.gov/research/public_libraries_in_the_united_states_survey.aspx    

You can find more information about this initiative at http://pewinternet.org/Press-Releases/2011/Gates.aspx.

Please join us at CALCON11 for:

Beyond the Survey: Innovative Techniques for Learning About Your Patrons

Friday, October 14, 2011, 11:00 AM-12:00 PM, Snowberry

We’ll present 10 creative-and often fun-ways to engage your patrons, staff, and community and get the information you need. Bring your ideas, questions, and enthusiasm. We’d like to share our ideas and hear yours.

It’s time to think outside the survey!

~Linda, Lisa, & Nicolle

Want to be part of the magic?
Take the survey here: http://plftas.pnmi.com/   
Look up you library’s survey id here: http://plftas.pnmi.com/lookup.cfm?CO   
More information here: http://www.plinternetsurvey.org/

This survey provides important information about computer and Internet resources and infrastructure, as well as funding, technology training, and other uses of public libraries, such as providing public access technology centers in their communities. The data from this study has been used in many influential ways, including:

     * U.S. Supreme Court decision regarding the Children’s Internet Protection Act (http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/02-361.ZO.html)

     * U.S. Statistical Abstracts (http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2011/tables/11s1153.pdf)

     *  MSNBC’s “Libraries Lend a Hand in Tough Times” (http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/31237988#31237988)

     *  NPR’s “Digital Challenges for U.S. Public Libraries” (http://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2010/06/21/127990542/digital-challenges-for-u-s-public-libraries)

     * U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services report “Catalyst for Change: LSTA Grants to States Program Activities and the Transformation of Library Services to the Public” (http://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2010/06/21/127990542/digital-challenges-for-u-s-public-libraries)

 Have questions, need more information? Please call 301-405-9445 or e-mail ipac.umd@gmail.com for survey support. Survey administrators monitor the support e-mail account from 9 AM – 5 PM (ET), Monday through Friday. For other information and updates, you call follow the survey/report on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/iPAC_UMD.

Thanks.
Nicolle