School Library Media Center Resources- html version

NATIONAL CENTER FOR EDUCATION STATISTICS
INDICATOR OF THE MONTH

School Library Media Center resources
March 1998

Historically, libraries have been an important component of the educational process, contributing to the success of the educational mission of schools. Education reform has prompted increased attention to the role school library media centers might play in the expanding role of computer- and technology-based education. However, policymakers have expressed concern that school library media centers have suffered from inadequate resources and support. Differences in library resources between schools can indicate how technology-based equipment and services are distributed as well as student accessibility to these resources.
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In school year 1993-94, about one-third of public school library media centers had computers with modems, automated circulation systems, and database searching capability with CDROM; 9 percent had on-line database searching capability; and 47 percent had the capability to use compact-disc-based periodical indices.
Library media centers in public schools with less than 20 percent minority enrollment were more likely to have computers with modems, database searching capability with CD-ROM, and on-line database searching capability than library media centers in schools with 20 percent or more minority enrollment.
In school year 1993-94, the availability of resources and services provided by library media centers was directly related to the poverty level. For example, schools with low poverty levels (5 percent or less of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch) were more likely than schools with high poverty levels (41 percent or more of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch) to have library media centers equipped with computers with modems, an automated circulation system, database searching capability with CD-ROM, on-line database searching capability, and connection to the Internet.
Public school library media centers were far more likely to have computers with modems, automated circulation systems, database searching capability with CD-ROM, and a connection to the internet than were private school library media centers

Percentage of public school library media centers that offered selected services and equipment, by selected school characteristics: School year 1993-94 of the school library media centers.

		Percentage of minority students enrolled		Percentage of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch
Selected services and equipment	Total	Less than 20 percent	20 percent or more	0-5	6-20	21-40	41 or more
Telephone	61.2	61.8	60.0	75.6	71.0	63.6	50.05
Fax machine	7.8	9.3	5.7	12.3	10.1	7.2	5.6
Computer with modem	34.3	36.8	31.2	51.2	40.0	35.1	27.3
Automated catalog	24.0	25.0	21.5	27.5	28.4	26.7	18.1
Automated circulation system	37.9	38.2	36.8	42.4	46.2	40.4	30.2
Database searching with CD-ROM	31.2	34.2	27.3	43.4	38.8	34.3	30.2
On-line database searching	9.4	10.9	7.6	20.7	13.3	8.3	5.9
Compact disc for periodical indices, etc.	46.7	51.7	40.0	67.4	54.8	48.3	36.9
Video laser disc	31.9	31.5	31.3	39.2	39.0	31.0	25.8
Connection to the internet	12.0	12.9	11.2	21.9	16.0	11.2	9.0
Cable Television	76.2	78.6	72.3	80.7	79.4	77.5	73.5
Broadcast television	48.6	46.1	52.2	47.6	45.1	48.5	51.2
Closed circuit television	25.5	22.7	28.7	27.2	24.5	27.0	24.8
Satellite dish	22.9	24.9	21.7	21.6	23.0	24.7	23.8

NOTE: Percentages are based on schools that have library media centers. In school year 1990-91, 96 percent of public schools had library media centers.

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Schools, and Staffing Survey (Library Media Center Questionnaire), 1993-94.

U.S. Department of Education Office of Educational Research and Improvement
NCES 98-006
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Percentage of public School Library media centers that offerd selected services and equipment: School year 1993-94

To view this table please refer to pdf version.

NOTE: Percentages are based on schools that have library media centers.
SORUCE: U.S. Department of education , National Center for Education Statistics, Schools and Staffing Survey (Library Media Center Questionnaire), 1993-94.
Suggested citation: U.S. Department of Education, National Center

This indicator is one of 60 from The Condition of Education 1997. It is in the public domain and may be reproduced without permission.

Suggested citation: U.S. Department of Education, National center for Education Statistics, The Condition of Education 1997, NCES 97-388, by Thomas M. Smith , Beth Aronstamm Young, Yupin Bae, Susan P. Choy, and Nabeel Alsalam. Wanshington D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office. To obtain a copy of the full volume of The Condition of Education, contact the National Data Resource Center on (703) 845-3151 (email:nedrc@inet.ed.gov). This title is also available on the Internet at
http://www.ed.gov/NCES/pubs/ce.

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