Report on America’s School Districts

This report finds that the notion of allowing small enclaves to withdraw a portion of their taxes to serve only themselves is one that is unique to education. Imagine allowing a citizen to withhold taxes for a library that they don’t use or a sidewalk on which they don’t walk. Picture a neighborhood attempting to opt out of public works support if they promised to keep only their street patched or if they agreed to never cross the bridge that needs repair. Envision providing exemptions from federal taxes for people who don’t have family members receiving Medicare or those who may object to foreign policy. Surely, there is a legitimate argument to be made for each one of these options, but that argument never outweighs the case for the public good.

Edbuild (2017). Fractured: The breakdown of America’s school districts. United States: Edbuild.

https://edbuild.org/content/fractured/fractured-full-report.pdf

American Libraries as of 2010

Key trends in the library community are detailed in this report on the State of America’s Libraries. The consensus among Americans that libraries are beneficial and advantageous has grown over the years, according to this report. And with more businesses and government agencies requiring applicants to apply on line, job-seeking resources are among the most critical and most in demand among the technology resources available in U.S. public libraries. Two-thirds of public libraries help patrons complete online job applications; provide access to job databases and other online resources (88 percent) and civil service exam materials (75 percent); and offer software or other resources (69 percent) to help patrons create resumes and other employment materials.

American Library Association (2010). The state of America’s libraries: A report from the American Library Association. Chicago, IL: American Library Association. http://www.ala.org/news/sites/ala.org.news/files/content/mediapresscenter/americaslibraries/soal2010/ALA_Report_2010-ATI001-NEW1.pdf

Status of Libraries in America as of 2010

This 2010 report by the American Library Association shows that Americans have turned to their libraries in larger numbers in recent years. When jobs go away, Americans turn to their libraries to find information about future employment or educational opportunities. This library usage trend and others are detailed in the 2010 State of America’s Libraries report, released today by the American Library Association. However, the report also shows that increased library use did not lead to an increase in funding for libraries.

Other key findings include:

• Internet use continues to expand at public libraries, which have seen double-digit growth since 2007 in the on-line services they make available to their patrons.
• Almost all Americans feel that school libraries are an essential part of the education experience because they provide resources to students and teachers and because they give every child the opportunity to read and learn.
• America’s academic libraries are experiencing increased use, both physical and virtual.
• America’s libraries continue their efforts to support minorities and other underserved or disadvantaged populations.
• The library community continues to defend a core value embodied in the First Amendment and the corollary right to receive and consider ideas, information, and images.
• Library construction fared better in 2009 than many expected during the recession, especially given the unreliability of funding for programming, materials, and hours.

American Library Association (2010). 2010 State of America’s libraries report: Recession drives more Americans to libraries in search of employment resources, but funding lags demand. Chicago, IL: American Library Association. http://www.ala.org/news/sites/ala.org.news/files/content/mediapresscenter/americaslibraries/soal2010/ALA_Report_2010-ATI001-NEW1.pdf