Recent Reports on Libraries

ALA:

The American Library Association recently released its wide-ranging report, "The State of America's Libraries." It points out that the average user checks out seven items per year and the average taxpayer contributes $31 per year (the cost of a hardcover book). The value of school libraries was discussed as is the need to serve the Spanish-speaking community.

View the report online at: <http://www.ala.org/ala/pio/presscentera/piopresskits/2008statereport/2008statehome.cfm>

NCLIS:

The US National Commission on Library and Information Science released its final report in March: "Meeting the Information Needs of the American People: Past Actions and Future Initiatives." In this report are findings gleaned in part from interviews with numerous leaders in the library community on important areas for future research such as:

Public Libraries: Their Changing Role in U.S. Society and Measuring Their Societal Value
Digital Libraries
Building and Sharing Collections
Disaster Planning and Relief Efforts

This final report was issued in anticipation of NCLIS being merged with the US Institute for Museum and Library Services.

View the report online at: <http://www.nclis.gov>