Sixteen studies conducted since 1993 have shown that students who have a library in their school with a full-time licensed librarian, support staff, and adequate funding for materials and collections, show an increase in achievement on state and national standardized tests! 

For more information on this and other findings, check the following web sites!

Alaska (2000)

Information Empowered: The School Librarian as an Agent of Academic Achievement in Alaska Schools

by Keith Curry Lance, et. al.
Executive Summary     Brochure

     Colorado

How School Librarians Help Kids Achieve Standards: The Second Colorado Study (2000)

by Keith Curry Lance, Christine Hamilton-Pennell, and Marcia J. Rodney

Executive Summary     Brochure     PowerPoint Presentation

Impact of School Library Media Centers on Academic Achievement: 1993 Colorado Study

by Keith Curry Lance, Lynda Welborn, and Christine Hamilton-Pennel

Order the Full Report

Florida (2003)

Making the Grade: The Status of School Library Media Centers in the Sunshine State and How They Contribute to Student Achievement.

by Dr. Donna Baumbach, Professor of Education at the University of Central Florida and Director of the Florida SUNLINK Project
Executive Summary     Website

Iowa (2000)

Making the Connection: Quality School Library Media Programs Impact Academic Achievement in Iowa.

by Marcia J. Rodney, Keith Curry Lance, and Christine Hamilton-Pennell
Full Report

Illinois (2005)

How Powerful Libraries Make Powerful Learners

by Keith Curry Lance, Marcia J. Rodney, and Christine Hamilton-Pennell, RSL Research Group for the Illinois School Library Media Association
Illinois Study

Massachusetts (2000)

MCAS and School Libraries: Making the Connection

A Symposium Sponsored by the Graduate School of Library and Information Science Simmons College
Website     Symposium Program

Michigan (2003)

The Impact of Michigan School Librarians on Academic Achievement: Kids Who Have Libraries Succeed

by Marcia J. Rodney, Keith Curry Lance, and Christine Hamilton-Pennell
Full Report

Minnesota (2001)

Check it out! Results from the School Library Media Census

School Library Census Website

Missouri (2003)

Show Me Connection: How School Library Media Center Services Impact Student Achievement, 2002-2003

by Quantitative Resources, LLC
Full Report     PowerPoint Presentation

North Carolina (2003)

An Essential Connection: How Quality School Library Media Programs Improve Student Achievement in North Carolina

by Robert Burgin and Pauletta Brown Bracy, with assistance from Kathy Brown
Website     Full Report     ALA Presentation

New Mexico (2002)

How School Libraries Improve Outcomes for Children: The New Mexico Study

by Keith Curry Lance, Marcia J. Rodney, and Christine Hamilton-Pennell
Full Report

Ohio (2004)

Student Learning through Ohio School Libraries: The Ohio Research Study

by Ross Todd and Carol Kuhlthau, Center for International Scholarship in School Libraries, Rutgers University for the Ohio Educational Library Media Association
Project Webpage

Oregon (2002)

Oregon School Librarians Collaborate to Improve Academic Achievement

by Keith Curry Lance, Marcia J. Rodney, and Christine Hamilton-Pennell
Website     Executive Summary     Brochure     PowerPoint Presentation

Pennsylvania (1999)

Measuring Up to Standards: The Impact of School Libraries & Information Literacy in Pennsylvania Schools

by Keith Curry Lance, Marcia J. Rodney, and Christine Hamilton-Pennell
Full Report     Questionnaire     Sample Schools and Districts     Brochure

Texas (2001)

Texas School Libraries: Standards, Resources, Services, and Students' Performance

by Ester G. Smith, Ph.D. EGS Research & Consulting
Website     Full Report

"School Libraries Work " (2006 updated edition) - .pdf
This Scholastic Research Foundation Paper, updated from the first edition of School Libraries Work!, brings together position statements from a variety of organizations and findings from nearly a decade of empirical studies that cite the measurable impact school libraries and library media specialists have on student achievement. It includes highlights from “Why Care About School Libraries?,” published in March 2005 by the U.S. National Commission on Libraries and Information Science, the results of new state studies from Illinois and Indiana, as well as new data, statistics, resources, and strategies to help school principals, school board members, and library media specialists support and improve their library media centers.