DR. LESLEY FARMERCALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY LONG BEACH

IMPACT OF LIBRARIES ON YAS: RESEARCH DIRECTIONS

SYSTEMS APPROACH

POSSIBLE IMPACTS

• Short term: improved skills in reading, technology, information literacy• Mid term: academic success, improved physical

and mental health, friendship• Long term: lifelong reading and learning, career

and life success

MEASUREMENTS

• Reading scores, reports, grades, sample work• Products: reports, publications, Net hits, projects• Actions: lifelong reading, self-sufficient learning,

use of technology, human interactions, service, education, career• NOTE: indirect and direct measures

BASIC APPROACHES

• Does the presence of a factor impact YA?• Does the quality of a factor impact YA?• Does of combination of a factor impact YA?• Does the timing and/or frequency of a factor

impact YA?• Does the degree of involvement (by YA or others)

impact YA?

MATERIAL RESOURCES

• Quantity: How big of a collection is needed?• Quality: age, condition, developmentally-

appropriate, genres, language• Appropriateness: by gender, ethnicity, age,

language, curriculum• Access: physical and intellectual

TECHNOLOGY

• Hardware: access/circulation• eResources: databases, DVDs, software, Internet• Products: library portal, webliographies, catalog• Services: instruction, programs, clubs

FACILITIES

• Access: physical and virtual, scheduling• Atmosphere: welcoming, service• Arrangement: mixed in public libraries, location in

facility, functional areas, order of materials• Signage• Displays

STAFFING

• Quantity• Quality: professional, paraprofessional• Competencies: overall, working with YA,

reference

INSTRUCTION

• Curriculum: information literacy, digital literacy• Audience: youth, parents, teachers• Collaboration: libraries, schools, agencies,

business• Delivery methods: reference interaction,

workshop, embedded, course• Impact of technology: content, learning aids,

delivery

YOUTH INVOLVEMENT

• Programs: speakers, hands-on, workshops, events, contests• Clubs: literature, cultural, media, tech, service• Library aides: processing, teaching, creating

• Levels of involvement: attend, conduct, plan• Who participates – and why• Social aspects

RESEARCH INVOLVEMENT

• Read• Participate• Investigate

• AND ALWAYS DOCUMENT AND SHARE