ActionAlert

[William Pichette <lis_whp@SHSU.EDU>]

Reply to: Open Lib/Info Sci Education Forum <JESSE@UTKVM1.BITNET>
To: Multiple recipients of list JESSE <JESSE@UTKVM1.BITNET>
Subject: ACTIONALERT! LIB. RESEARCH $$!

The US Dept. of Education recently released a draft of a document that will
become the nation's research priority plan in the education arena. YOUR
ACTION IS NEEDED IMMEDIATELY to ensure that the role of libraries is
included in the nation's education research agenda. In its proposed
version, the document, "Building on What We've Learned: Developing
Priorities for Educational Research," largely ignores the significance of
school, public, and academic libraries.

Does this matter? Yes, yes, yes! The document is expected to be the
blueprint that funding sources, both public and private, will refer to when
deploying their educational R&D resources over the next 5-15 years.

What can you do? The ALA Committee on Research and Statistics urges
everyone to submit comments to the Dept. of Education explaining how
historically there has been little support for research that focuses on
libraries and lifelong learning. The Committee noted several important
areas of research in which libraries should figure prominently and
specifically. These areas were glaringly omitted from the document. You may
make any or all of the following points, or develop your own.

(1) Evidence suggests that exposure to library services at an early age and
throughout formal schooling may be an important factor in successful
learning. Libraries contribute to the success of informal learning as well.
Research is need to improve our understanding of the role of school media
centers, public libraries, and academic libraries in formal education and
independent learning for all ages. We also need to determine the role of
the public library in the critical development of reading and learning
skills for pre-school populations and literacy skills for adult learners.

(2) As described in pages 1-10 and 42-43 of the document, supporting the
learner requires an understanding of the interplay of various
learning-informing institutions in the community. A very important
out-of-school learning setting is the public library. Our experience shows
that unless explicit reference to libraries is made in the plan, research
will "forget" to examine their contributions. Explicit reference to school
and community libraries should be stated throughout the document.

(3) Technology is evolving and information is exploding. Some learners have
access, but many don't. Educational equity and productivity will require
new systems of teaching and learning. Research is needed that will help
improve the delivery of library services through new technologies by
identifying methods and strategies that facilitate learning and improve the
information competencies of all learners. This research should include
libraries in post secondary institutions, schools, and public libraries.

(4) We know that this is a high correlation between education and earnings
and life satisfaction. However, there is little empirical evidence of the
return on investment in libraries, in terms of an informed and educated
citizenry. Substantial research is need to overcome this gap.

PHONE for a copy of the document: Tammra Gill, (202)219-1556. Ask for it
*rush*. Or you can also see full text on the Web at
http://www.ed.gov/offices/OERI/RschPriority/.

REVIEW THE DRAFT.

SEND COMMENTS TO Judith Anderson, US Department of Education, OERI, 555 New
Jersey Ave., NW, Room 510, Washington DC 20208-5573, or e-mail them to
Judith_Anderson@ed.gov>.

Please act fast. The period for public comment ends AUGUST 5! We can't
afford to miss this opportunity. Your voice counts: the Dept. of Education
will notice how many respond from each constituent group.

I'd appreciate a copy of your response: <childeta@dunx1.ocs.drexel.edu>.

I'm posting this only on JESSE. Please forward to any other listserv that
might have interested members.

Thanks very much for your help.
______________________________________________________________
Thomas A. Childers, Ph.D.         A. B. Kroeger Professor
Director of Library and Information Science Programs
College of Information Science & Technology  [IST]
Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA  19104  USA
internet:  childeta@dunx1.ocs.drexel.edu
phone: (215)895-2479      fax: 215-895-2494