Lolndon study on pleasure reading

A study  carried out by the Centre for Logditudinal Studies, at the Institute of Education (one of the colleges of the University of London) supplies evidence that children who read for pleasure are likely to do significantly better at school than their peers.  Strong reading ability affected children's scores in math, vocabulary and spelling. Here is the link to the press release - it specifically mentions the importance of the library:  

 http://www.cls.ioe.ac.uk/news.aspx?itemid=2740&itemTitle=Reading+for+pleasure+puts+children+ahead+in+the+classroom%2C+study+finds&sitesectionid=27&sitesectiontitle=News

‘Social inequalities in cognitive scores at age 16: The role of reading’, by Alice Sullivan and Matt Brown. CLS Working Paper 2013/10 

Youth technology use study

A new study examines how US tweens and teens are using technology in schools, and how they feel about those experiences. Although 78 percent of students own cell phones—47 percent of which are smartphones—students still face a wide variety of policies restricting mobile usage in schools, which students report as frustrating. Students also express frustration with schools’ limited WiFi access, problems with Internet filtering, privacy concerns as more and more schools aim to monitor students’ online activity, and some schools’ push to embrace tablet computers.
Cortesi, S. et al. (2014). Youth Perspectives on Tech in Schools: From Mobile Devices to Restrictions and Monitoring. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University.
http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2378590

 

Children's reading habits studies

According to a new study, 67% of US children aged 2–13 are now reading ebooks. That’s up from 54%, the number recorded in a similar study from 2013. Some 92% of the kids who do read ebooks read them at least once a week, with many of them reading ebooks every day.

Despite tight budgets that have compounded the numerous challenges to implementation, media specialists are ‘generally enthusiastic about the continued adoption of ebooks by their students, and usage in school libraries—especially at the high school level—is expected to continue rising incrementally, according to an annual survey, the fourth of its kind.
 
Bryant, A. (2014).What a Difference a Year Makes: Kids and E-Reading Trends 2012-13. Digital Book World. http://store.digitalbookworld.com/what-difference-a-year-makes-childrens-report-t3592

The ABCs ofkids and ebooks. (2014).Digital Book World. 

http://www.digitalbookworld.com/2013/new-report-from-digital-book-world-54-of-u-s-children-reading-ebooks

2013 Survey of Ebook Usage in U.S. School (K–12) Libraries. (2014).  School Library Journal.
 http://www.thedigitalshift.com/research/ebook-usage-u-s-school-k-12-libraries-2013-report/

Quality Counts 2014 report

The18th annual edition of Quality Counts rates states and the nation on key student-performance
and finance indicators. The K-12 Achievement Index assesses state performance against a broad set of 18 separate indicators or criteria, including results on the National Assessment of Educational Progress, high school graduation rates, and scores on Advanced Placement exams. Unlike more-limited score cards on student achievement, the index analyzes results across three crucial dimensions: current state performance, improvements over time, and equity as measured by poverty-based achievement gaps. Findings point out the negative impact of poverty.
EQuality counts. (2014, January 9). Education Week.
http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2014/01/09/16sos.h33.html?tkn=MNMFi4Rnl30nTla4iiIr7SCfGf1tHFg1v0Xv&cmp=ENL-EU-NEWS1&intc=EW-QC14-ENL

As part of the year-long National Forum on Libraries and Teens effort, YALSA has released a report providing direction on how libraries need to adapt and change to meet the needs of 21^st century teens.
 YALSA. (2014). The future of library services for and with teens: A call to action. Chicago: ALA.
http://www.ala.org/yaforum/project-report

Research on overpraising

Researchers have found that contrary to what some might think, students with low self-esteem can suffer further if they are overpraised. According to the University of Southampton study, praise became "overpraise" when there was an additional word, such as an adverb. For example,"you're good at this" was simple praise, while "you're incredibly good at this" was considered inflated praise. The findings suggested inflated praise could put too much pressure on those with low esteem. 
Brummelman, E., Thomaes, S., Orobio de Castro, B., Overbeek, G., & Bushman, B. J. (in press). “That’s not just beautiful—that’s incredibly beautiful!” The adverse impact of inflated praise on children with low self-esteem. Psychological Science
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/children-with-low-selfesteem-could-be-harmed-if-they-are-lavished-with-too-much-praise-by-parents-study-claims-9039956.html

Report on perceptions of public libraries

A national report finds most Americans feel that public libraries have done a good job embracing new technology, but are split on whether libraries are as essential as they were in the past for finding information. In a larger sense, Americans strongly value the role of public libraries in their communities. Many library resources are particularly valued by those who are unemployed, retired, or searching for a job, as well as those living with a disability and Internet users who lack home Internet access.
Zickhur, K., Rainie, L., Purcell, K., & Duggan, M. (2013). How Americans value public libraries in their communities. Washington, DC: Pew Research Center.
http://libraries.pewinternet.org/2013/12/11/libraries-in-communities/?utm_source=Mailing+List&utm_campaign=11c18b5928-Libraries_In_Communities_Alert&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_79a7fe984b-11c18b5928-398525145