LISNews: Librarian News

The Rocky Mountain News has a Story on a study that showed libraries help children score 10 percent to 18 percent higher on reading tests.

\"Further, collaboration between library media specialists and classroom teachers on instruction is key to boosting reading skills, according to the study done by the Library Research Service of the state Department of Education.\"

Check out LRS.org, they have an executive summary PDF available.The results are especially encouraging, given the emphasis on improving scores on the Colorado Student Assessment Program reading tests. Last year, about 60 percent of students in fourth and seventh grades were proficient in reading, as were 66 percent of third-graders.

\"I\'ve always believed school libraries play a critical role in successful teaching,\" said Dick Elmer, deputy commissioner of education. \"I\'m not surprised they contribute to higher CSAP scores.\"