Since 1992, a growing body of research known as the school library impact studies has consistently shown positive correlations between school librarians and library programs and student achievement. The authors review the findings from these studies and discuss how school leaders can ensure they are making the best use of their librarians'…

In 1993, the Colorado State Library published "The Impact of School Library Media Centers on Academic Achievement." This follow-up study focuses attention on the library media specialist and the services she or he provides throughout the building, rather than just the library media center as a specific place, and emphasizes the fact that…

This study was designed to update the existing research and to examine the relationship between library media programs and student achievement. The schools selected for the study sample were not selected on a random basis; rather, they were library media centers (LMCs) that responded to a 1989 survey of Colorado LMCs. The study relied entirely…

Discusses the results of four statewide studies on the impact of school library media programs on the academic achievement of public school students. Topics include roles of media specialists; teaching; information access and delivery; program administration; staff activities; media center use; and the availability of technology. (LRW)

Discusses findings of six recent studies on the impact of school libraries on student performance. The findings concern: (1) school library development; (2) leadership and collaboration activities that foster information literacy; and (3) the use of instructional technology to extend the reach of the library program beyond the walls of the school…

This study is an assessment of the impact of Alaska school librarians on academic achievement in the state's public schools. It examines the direct relationship between such staffing and student performance and identifies selected activities of library media staff that affect test scores. Other conditions of library media center operation were…

Three sets of roles that libraries play in education are identified. Each of the roles is explained, accompanied by relevant statistics and examples. In the first place, libraries provide access to education by teaching information skills, by providing leadership and expertise in the use of information and information technologies, and by…

This study provides evidence of the positive impact of library media centers (LMCs) on academic achievement in 221 Colorado public schools during the 1988-89 school year. The importance of the library media specialist's instructional role is also verified. In contrast to previous research on the relationship, this study uses schools rather than…