Good Marks for Libraries

By Ron Pazola
STAFF WRITER
Suburban Chicago News
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Students with access to well-stocked school libraries with professional librarians produce higher test scores, according to a recently released Illinois study.
     "Students tend to score higher on state achievement tests when access to school libraries are selectively scheduled, when school libraries are managed by credentialed school librarians who are supported by library aides and when school librarians spend more time collaborating with classroom teachers," said Keith Curry Lance, one of the researchers of the study.
     Lance, director of the Library Research Service of the Colorado State Library and the University of Denver, also found that students benefit from school libraries that have newer and larger collections of books, videos and databases and when students visit libraries frequently.
     The two-year study, which sampled 661 public Illinois elementary and secondary schools, compared Illinois Standards Achievement Test and Prairie State Achievement Examination scores with the presence of school libraries and librarians.
     The report showed that test scores at schools with well-equipped and well-staffed libraries were at least 10 percent better at the elementary level and at least 5 percent better at the secondary level.
     Where credentialed librarians spend more time managing the libraries, test scores are 9 percent higher at the elementary level and 4 percent higher at the high school level. And schools with better-funded libraries average improvements in reading scores by as much as 12 percent.
     "The results consistently show that libraries do matter," Lance said.
     Darlene Ruscitti, DuPage County regional superintendent of schools, emphasized the need for good school libraries and librarians.
     "Librarians teach valuable information and literary skills to students," she said. "Credentialed librarians know technology. They motivate students to read and write. They exemplify to students the love of learning."
     Pamela K. Kramer of the DuPage Library System was a member of the Illinois study task force.
     Mike Ragen, acting director of the Illinois State Library, said he was not surprised by the results of the report.
     "We've known for years the intangible impact on students of having access to the school library," he said. "This study verifies our long-held beliefs by quantifying the benefits that students have when they can access reliable information that complements their assigned studies."
     The Illinois School Library Media Association commissioned the study with a Library Services and Technology Act grant awarded by the Illinois State Library. Funding for the study also was provided by the 21st Century Information Fluency Program, a project aimed at enhancing the ability of teachers, librarians and students to locate, evaluate and use digital information services.
     The Illinois State Board of Education provided the data for the study, which began in fall 2003.
     The following area schools were included in a study correlating school libraries to test results:

Elgin District U46
Abbott Middle School, Elgin
Bartlett High School, Bartlett
Canton Middle School, Streamwood
Elgin High School, Elgin
Kimball Middle School, Elgin
Streamwood High School, Streamwood