This paper analyzes the relation between public, education-related infrastructure and the quality of education in schools. The analysis uses a case study of the establishment of two large, high-quality public libraries in low-income areas in Bogotá, Colombia. It assesses the impact of these libraries on the quality of education by comparing…

This paper presents additional information from the 2009 survey of young people's reading and writing. The authors conducted an online survey of 17,089 pupils aged 8 to 16 from 112 schools, conducted in November-December 2009, which consisted of 32 questions exploring young people's background, reading and writing behaviour, perceived ability and…

The Index of American Public Library Circulation dates back to 1939, and the Index of American Public Library Expenditures to 1951. These indexes are based on annual reports from a sample of all American public libraries serving more than 25,000 people each. Using the 1982 American Library Directory, the researchers identified 1,586 public…

Presents results of a survey of 83 libraries in the United States and Canada which provide services to Native Americans. The questionnaire used contained five major sections: general information, facilities, personnel, collection, and services. (FM)

Due to inaccuracies in method, public libraries consistently undermeasure their reference transactions. This article chronicles the process of developing ways to systematize the count. Results of a literature survey, merits of various sample sizes, sample selection, and calculations are all discussed. Appendices include a list of categories of…

Data on the holdings of university and other research libraries include library ranking, volumes held and added, current serials holdings, and spending for materials and salaries. (MSE)

The 108 university research libraries with the largest collections and 11 public and special libraries with large research holdings are listed. Data include rank (universities only), numbers of volumes, volumes added in 1991-92, current serials, permanent staff, and total expenditures in 1991-92. University libraries' total operating expenditures…

The catalogs of 19 large urban public lending library systems (10 American and 9 Canadian) were examined to determine the extent of their holdings of 222 gay-related titles. The populations of the libraries' service areas ranged from about 100,000 to three million. The title lists comprised classic and contemporary works taken from standard lists…

New Zealand librarians, using 95 indicators of performance, rated their libraries highest on service indicators and lowest on local government relations. Factor analysis was used to derive 13 dimensions of effectiveness. The indicators ranked highest in a prior survey of stakeholders are spread across nine of the dimensions, which fit four models…

Distributed on a random basis to 3,000 patrons, this survey was conducted to provide the administration of the Edmonton Public Library with a comprehensive evaluation of the service the library provides to the public. The results, which were tabulated using frequency distribution tables and which make up the major part of the report, are presented…

"Libraries and the fight against HIV/AIDS, poverty and corruption" takes up some of the big issues and major challenges facing the world: the HIV/AIDS pandemic, poverty and the reduction of it, and corruption and its counterpart transparency. The articles explore the role and responsibilities of libraries and information services, and…

Includes seven articles that discuss research on libraries; numbers of libraries in the United States and Canada; library acquisition expenditures; price indexes for academic and school libraries; expenditures in school library media centers; state rankings of public library data; and library building construction. (LRW)

This volume presents data for the U.S. and Canadian libraries that were members of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) during the 1991-92 fiscal year. The ARL membership consisted of 108 university libraries and 12 public or private independent research libraries. Overall, the 1991-92 statistics offer a gloomy view of the traditional…

This report presents a systematic review of the literacy services of the Vancouver Public Library (British Columbia), both to determine if those activities met the needs and expectations of local adult learners and to see if those activities compared favorably with general standards and with other libraries' literacy services. Data was collected…

The Commissioner of Education discusses the office's work and needs; education records; records improved by the Centennial celebration; lessons learned from the educational experience; condition of education at the time of the Declaration of Independence; current U.S. education statistics; education in other countries; education representation at…