Parents' Perception of School Libraries reports

A recent study investigated parents' perceptions of school librarians. A vast majority of the parents surveyed asserted that every school should have a school librarian. The survey results show that a significant percentage of parents (80%) trust school librarians to select appropriate books and materials for school libraries. However,  only 41% of the parents have met their child’s school librarian. There were also mixed feelings about providing materials on race/racism and LGBT+, depending on the students' age. Parents also want more say about library collections.

A series of Parents’ Perception of School Libraries and Librarians Survey (Dec 2023) findings are available at https://www.everylibraryinstitute.org/parent_perception_school_libraries_2023. Please see “Parents’ Perceptions of Public Libraries” (Sept 2023) and “Parents’ Perceptions of Librarians” (Nov 2023) for additional insights on this dynamic topic, surveyed by Book Riot and EveryLibrary Institute. 

Book Banning Report

A recent study reflected on the nearly 6,000 book bans in public schools documented from July 2021 to June 2023. The study illustrates the spread of copycat book bans and an apparent “Scarlet Letter” effect, where several works from an author’s catalog were subsequently targeted after at least one of their works was banned.

PEN. (2023). Banned in the US: The growing movement to censor books in schools. PEN.

https://pen.org/report/banned-usa-growing-movement-to-censor-books-in-schools/

Digital Reading and Comprehension Study

 For years, research showed that print reading, whether for leisure or school, improved developing readers’ ability to comprehend text. However, the explosive use of digital reading devices, constant access to these devices, and new types of reading materials have introduced new reading habits. Now, a new comprehensive review of research on digital leisure reading habits finds a virtually nonexistent relationship between digital reading and improvement in reading comprehension among students.

Altamura, L., Vargas, C., & Salmerón, L. (2023). Do new forms of reading pay off? A meta-analysis on the relationship between leisure digital reading habits and text comprehension. Review of Educational Research. Prepublished December 13, 2023. https://doi.org/10.3102/00346543231216463

AI study

A Stanford study found that GPT detectors often misclassify non-native English writing as AI-generated, which reflects a type of bias. 

Liang, W., et al. (2023). GPT detectors are biased against non-native English writers. Patterns, 4(7). 

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.patter.2023.100779

Book Digitalization and Print Demand Study

Abstract: The free digital distribution of creative works could cannibalize demand for physical versions, but it could also boost physical sales by enabling consumers to discover the original work. We study the impact of the Google Books digitization project on the market for physical books. We find that digitization significantly boosts the demand for physical versions and provide evidence for the discovery channel. Moreover, digitization allows independent publishers to introduce new editions for existing books, further increasing sales. Our results highlight the potential of free digital distribution to strengthen the demand for and supply of physical products.

Nagaraj, Abhishek, and Imke Reimers. 2023. "Digitization and the Market for Physical Works: Evidence from the Google Books Project." American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, 15 (4): 428-58. DOI: 10.1257/pol.20210702

Book Banning Impacts Study

 Abstract: Banning of books has become increasingly prevalent and politically polarizing in the United States. While the primary goal of these bans is to restrict access to books, conversations about the bans have garnered attention on a wider scale. This increased attention to bans can either have a chilling effect or can influence consumers to read the banned books. In this study, we use a novel, large-scale dataset of US library book circulations and evaluate the impact of book bans on the consumption of banned books. Using a staggered difference-in-differences design, we find that the circulations of banned books increased by 12% on average compared to comparable non-banned titles after the ban. We also find that banning a book in a state leads to increased circulation in states without bans. We show that the increase in consumption is driven by books from lesser-known authors suggesting that new and unknown authors stand to gain from the increasing consumer support. Additionally, our results demonstrate that books with higher visibility on social media following the ban see an increase in consumption, suggesting a link between social media and political consumerism. We also find that book bans have a tangible political impact through campaign donations - Republican Party candidates attract significantly more campaign donations than Democratic candidates, following the ban events but only in Republican-leaning states.

Ananthakrishnan, Uttara M and Basavaraj, Naveen and Karmegam, Sabari Rajan and Sen, Ananya and Smith, Michael D., Book Bans in American Libraries: Impact of Politics on Inclusive Content Consumption (June 23, 2023). Donald G. Costello College of Business at George Mason University Research Paper, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4489684 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4489684

Teen Leisure Reading Decline Study

 A recent study found a decline in reading for fun among teenagers. That decline has been attributed to the rise of technology and excessive use of reading in standardized testing for comprehension and grading. While some teens are still avid readers, others find it hard to balance reading with their busy schedules, but librarians and educators suggest audiobooks and personalized book choices to reignite interest in reading.

Schaeffer, K. (2023). Among many U.S. children, reading for fun ahs become less common, Federal data shows. Pew Research Center. 

https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2021/11/12/among-many-u-s-children-reading-for-fun-has-become-less-common-federal-data-shows/ and https://pewrsr.ch/3C8TEEz