School Library Programs

The annual survey by American Association of School Librarians is open to library centers at all schools teaching at the primary and secondary levels. The first survey was conducted in 2007 and results from each year are available for review. Most of the questions are tracking questions, though, each year the survey includes a short series of topical questions. In 2012, the topical questions were focused on filtering and online access. 

In the major areas of reporting these changes were reported between the 2011 and 2012 data.

-       American school libraries are in a steady state with hours open, average number of hours worked by total staff and overall staffing levels consistent with 2011.

-       While the number of visits, both individual and group remains consistent compared to 2011, the average number of computers outside of the library with networked access to library services has increased significantly from 2011 to 2012.

-       Expanded access is on the upswing with schools continuing the trend to increase remote access to their library licensed databases.

American Association of School Librarians (2012). School libraries count: National longitudinal

survey of school library programs. United States: American Association of School Librarians. http://www.ala.org/aasl/sites/ala.org.aasl/files/content/researchandstatistics/slcsurvey/2012/AASL-SLC-2012-WEB.pdf