Clearinghouse of Professional Information

Reports of Interest in Library Research

This section includes links to research reports in the library field of possible interest to public library boards and staff.

Reports on specific aspects of work done by Library Development consultants will be found on the relevant specific Clearinghouse page. For example for strategic development, planning and policies links refer to the Planning Resources page. Joint projects between SOLS & OLS-N will also be posted in this section.

Topics include

American | British | Canadian

	indicates an item written by SOLS staff		indicates an item written by OLS-North staff
Clicking on certain topics will open a new window, if the link is to a topic included in an other Clearinghouse page

American|

• College Students’ Perceptions of Libraries and Information Resources. 2006. An OCLC Report, companion piece to the December 2005 OCLC Perceptions of Libraries and Information Resources report
• Engaging America's Youth. Institute of Museums and Libraries (IMLS), in the US, issues a groundbreaking study on youth programs in museums and libraries.
• Library as Place: Rethinking Roles, Rethinking Space. (.pdf) Council on Library and Information Resources
 
• InterConnections: A National Study of Users and Potential Users of Online Information )2008)
  (pdf) This new report offers insight into the ways people search for information in the online age, and how this impacts the ways they interact with public libraries and museums, both online and in person.
• Long Overdue:  A Fresh Look at Public and Leadership Attitudes About Libraries in the 21st Century. An American Libraries Council sponsored study, conducted by Public Agenda and funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, shows that libraries are poised to lead the way to solutions to today's pressing community problems, including providing a safe and engaging place for teens; building a strong and literate workforce; and extending access to technology.  Taking on such challenges is also the best bet for libraries to strengthen their communities and their own funding futures.
• Perceptions of Libraries and Information Resources: A Report to the OCLC Membership. (OCLC Online Computer Library Center. Inc.) 2005.  Summarizes findings of an international study on information-seeking habits and preferences.
• To Read or Not To Read: A Question of National Consequence (2008) (.pdf) US National Endowment for the Arts report
• Reading At Risk: A Survey of Literary Reading In America (.pdf) (U.S. National Endowment for the Arts) Research Division Report Number 46   Read a summary.
• The Role of Public Libraries in Children’s Literacy Development: an evaluation report.(2001) (.pdf) (Pennsylvania Library Association) An interesting,  researched based, report on the effects of library reading programs on reading levels.
• Sharing, Privacy and Trust in Our Networked World. (OCLC) Report based on a survey (by Harris Interactive on behalf of OCLC) of the general public from six countries Canada, France, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States and of library directors from the U.S. The research provides insights into the values and social-networking habits of library users.

British

• A blueprint for excellence:  Public Libraries 2008-2011(.pdf) (Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) U.K. A consultation process to establish a clear sense of purpose for libraries. Provides 6 propositions, including ones on the purpose and key roles of the library, that will shape the future of libraries in England.
• British Library (UK). Report on the Impact of the British Library on the UK's Economy. (2003)" the study demonstrates the tangible benefits the Library has for its direct users – including businesses, universities and entrepreneurs. It also shows that the British public value the Library’s contribution to the UK." 
• Building Better Library Services: Learning from audit, inspection and research. (2002) (U.K. Audit Commission)
• Change in store? An investigation into the impact of the book superstore environment on use, perceptions and expectations of the public library as a space, place and experience (.pdf) By Helen Cartwright, Assistant Librarian , Foreign Commonwealth Office. This paper reports the main findings of a  Masters dissertation submitted at the University of Sheffield in 2001.
• New Library: The People's Network: A 1998 UK government report calling for a radical rejuvenation of the public library system.

Canadian  

• Citizens First 3 (2003) (Institute for Citizen-Centred Service) "Provides fresh insights and comprehensive information on how citizens and clients of the Canadian public sector perceive the services they receive from governments at the municipal, provincial/ territorial, and federal levels."
• Dividends: The Value of Public Libraries in Canada  "The Library Action Committee of the Book and Periodical Council undertook a research project in July 1996 to review the importance of public libraries, to analyze the effects of reduced funding to public libraries on the economy and society at large, and to produce a discussion paper that outlined these themes and concerns. This document is intended to serve as a nation-wide reference tool for those advocating and planning for the continuation of strong library services, including library managers and staff, for library boards and town councils, for publishers and retailers and for provincial and national government officials. It outlines the many areas in which public libraries play a vital role in Canada, and also notes where reductions in library funding will be detrimental to suppliers, publishers, retailers, local businesses and governments, and thus to all Canadians."
• E-Learning For Prescott: Community Capacity Building Through Telecommunications.  By Laurie McArthur, Adaptive Technology Resource Centre, University of Toronto, September 19, 2004. The successful Bell Canada Foundation application was a request to fund the implementation of information technology supports in the library to: a)   support patrons with disabilities; b) support literacy after school; c)  explore tele-teaching for health, business and the environment; d) reinforce software that is available within the 5 schools in the community
• Interesting Facts about Canadian Public Libraries from Library Advocacy NOW!
• Libraries: How they Stack Up. Canadian Edition (OCLC)
• Ontario Public Libraries Today : A Research Initiative from Southern Ontario Library Service.  2005 (.pdf)  This study takes a long view examining 30 years of changes in the "Ontario Public Library Statistics" and other Ontario municipal statistics.
• Reading and Buying Books for Pleasure. 2005 National Survey  (Department of Canadian Heritage)
• Retail Book Sector in Canada. Market Study ( pdf)  Commissioned by the Department of Canadian Heritage. September 2007
• Strategic Directions Council. Ontario Government. (Disbanded in 2006)
  • Minutes of the Annual General Meeting and Special Meeting, November 17, 2005 (.pdf)
  • Building Value Together (.pdf) / Réalisons ensemble notre plein potentiel (.pdf)
  • By-Laws
  • Letters of Incorporation (.pdf)
  • Market Probe (.pdf)
  • Market Probe Findings 2001(.ppt)
  • Research Report July 2000
• The Value of Canadian Libraries: Impact, Normative Data and Influencing Funders. (.pdf) (2005) By Steve Abram. (2005)
• Who Buys Books In Canada (Hill Strategies Research Inc.) A statistical report examining spending on books in Canada and the provinces