21st Century Information Fluency

Powerful Libraries Make Powerful Learners: The Illinios Study

The evidence produced by this study indicates that Illinois school libraries contribute measurably to the academic achievement of students, as reflected by their test scores. At all grade levels, test scores tend to be higher:

where access to school libraries is more flexibly scheduled, where school libraries are staffed more fully,

where school librarians spend more time collaborating with classroom teachers,

where larger collections are available, where educational technology is more widely available to augment the local collection and, generally, to extend access to online resources into the classroom,

where school libraries are better funded, and

where students use school libraries, both individually and in groups, to learn and practice the information literacy skills they will need to excel on tests and as lifelong learners.

~ Executive Summary, p. 118

Help us grow this resource! These pages contain links to web resources that we find useful in bringing 21st Century Information Fluency skills into the classroom. If you have suggestions for additional sites (or if any of these sites are not working) please write us: 21cif@imsa.edu

Baumbach, Donna. Making the Grade: The Status of School Library Media Centers in the Sunshine State and How They Contribute to Student Achievement. Spring 2002 - TX: Hi Willow Research and Publishing. [cited 15 January 2005]. Available from the Internet: < http://www.sunlink.ucf.edu/makingthegrade/ >

This link takes you to Dr. Baumbach's site where you will find the research results and an executive summary of results in .pdf format. The complete report can be ordered from Hi Willow Research and Publishing.

Lance, Keith Curry; Rodney, Marcia J.; and Hamilton-Pennell, Christine. Powerful Libraries Make Powerful Learners: The Illinois Study. ISLMA [pdf]. Canton (IL): Illinois School Library Media Association, 18 February 2005- [cited 18 February 2005 ]. Available from Internet: < http://www.islma.org/resources.htm >.

This link takes you to the ILSMA Resources page. There you will find a pdf version of the Executive Summary as wall as a link to a color brochure summarizing the research. The findings of the landmark Colorado Study of 1993 have been confirmed in Illinois. The research team considers the consistency of the data to speak for itself. The case is proven: Powerful Libraries Make Powerful Learners!

Lance, Keith C.; Welborn, Lynda; and Hamilton-Pennell, Christine. Impact of School Library Media Centers on Academic Achievement: 1993 Colorado Study. Library Research Service. Denver (Colorado): University of Denver, College of Education Library and Information Science Program, 2002- [cited 14 January 2005]. Available from Internet: < http://www.lrs.org/impact.asp >.

This is the landmark study that established the positive relationship between school libraries and student achievement. Keith Curry Lance is now concluding a ten year series of research studies that have proven what we all know: school libraries make the difference. This spring, Lance will publish the Illinois Study as the last of his research reports into the impact of school libraries on student achievement. The case is made. School Libraries Work! Will the decision makers listen? (This link provides information on how to order the complete study.)

Lance, Keith C.; Hamilton-Pennell, Christine; and Rodney, Marcia J. How School Librarians Help Kids Achieve Standards: The Second Colorado Study. Library Research Service. Denver (Colorado): University of Denver, College of Education Library and Information Science Program, 2002- [cited 14 January 2005]. Available from Internet: < http://www.lrs.org/impact.asp >

The Second Colorado Study extends the work started in 1993. This link provides access to .pdf versions of an Executive Summary and Brochure, as well as a PowerPoint Presentation about the study. Information is also available on how to order the complete study.

Lance, Keith C.; Rodney, Marcia J.; and Hamilton-Pennell, Christine. Measuring Up to Standards: The Impact of School Libraries & Information Literacy in Pennsylvania Schools. Library Research Service. Denver (Colorado): University of Denver, College of Education Library and Information Science Program, 1999- [cited 14 January 2005]. Available from Internet: < http://www.lrs.org/impact.asp >.

One of many impact studies published by Keith Curry Lance and the Library Research Service of the Colorado State Library. You will find the complete series at this website.

Lance, Keith C. Libraries and Student Achievement: The importance of school libraries for improving student test scores. Threshold: Exploring the Future of Education. Washington (D.C.): Cable in the Classroom, Winter 2004- [cited 14 January 2005]. Available from Internet: < http://tinyurl.com/68x2p >.

This brief article by Keith Curry Lance provides a popular overview of the impact study research he has conducted since 1993.

Ryan, Joan. Locking up a World of Ideas: Closing libraries puts schools' core at risk. San Francisco (CA): San Francisco Chronicle, 28 March 2004- [cited 14 January 2005]. Available from Internet: < http://tinyurl.com/6u2v4 >.

One reporter's personal testimony on the importance of libraries.

Research and Statistics about Libraries. Library Research Service. Denver (Colorado): University of Denver, College of Education Library and Information Science Program, 2004- [cited 14 January 2005]. Available from Internet: < http://www.lrs.org/ >.

This is the 'home' website for all of the research, services, and information gathered by Keith Curry Lance and the other researchers from the Colorado State Library.

School Libraries Work! Research Foundation Paper. Danbury (CT):Scholastic Library Publishing, 2004- [cited 14 January 2005]. Available from Internet: <http://librarypublishing.scholastic.com/webapp/wcs/ stores/servlet/HomeView?storeId=10001>.

As part of its School Librarian's Toolkit, Scholastic has published a twelve page summary of research that establishes the significance of well structured library programs on student achievement. Included are references to all of Keith Curry Lance's research, as well as other recent research in this area. Lance's Ohio study is explained in detail. This document is in .pdf format.

Sherman, Lee. The Essential Link: The School Librarian Bolsters Achievement by Reaching Out to Teachers and Students. Nexus of Knowledge: The School Library in the 21st Century. Portland (OR): North West Regional Educational Laboratory, Fall 2003- [cited 14 January 2005]. Available from Internet: < http://www.nwrel.org/nwedu/09-01/link.asp >

The this journal is focused on school library and media issues. From the journal: " The research is clear: When a professionally trained and certified school librarian collaborates with teachers, works with kids one-to-one, teaches information literacy, and reaches out to public libraries, students in her building perform better academically."