Statistics About California School Libraries

2004-2005 Statistics

Number of libraries. Among California public schools, 99 percent have a place designated as the library, although staffing, collections, and programs range from exemplary to substandard.

Staffing. Approximately 23 percent of California schools have a credentialed library media teacher on campus part time or more; the majority of professional staffing is found at the high school level. A library media teacher has both a California teaching credential and a California library media teacher services credential. Although the average national ratio of library media teachers to students in the fall of 2002 was 1:889, California ranks fifty-first in the nation with a ratio of 1:5,965(2004-2005 CBEDS Report and Digest of Education Statistics and Tables and Figures, National Center for Education Statistics, 2005. (Outside Source) Additional staffing data are provided by the National Center for Education Statistics (Outside Source)

Library books. The latest figure for the average number of school library books per kindergarten through grade twelve student in California is 17.2. In 1986 the number reported per student was ten. Nationally, school libraries average 22 books per student. See Ratio chart (PDF; 17KB; 1p.).

Age of collections. The age of the library books is as important as the number of books available to students. In 1995 the average copyright date of a California school library nonfiction book was 1972. In 2004-2005 the average copyright date rose to 1993. See Ratio chart (PDF; 17KB; 1p.).

Book costs. The average cost of a children’s and young adult hardcover book in 2005 was $20.52, a gain of $1.21 over the 2004 average. Annual School Library Journal reports indicate over the last five years, the average book price has increased by 14.4 percent. See Book Cost chart (PDF; 17KB; 1p.)

Funding. The primary source of funding for 54 percent of California schools is still the California Public School Library Act of 1998, a categorical program that ended with the 2004-2005 apportionments. . Fund raising activities provide the second most important source of funding. Overview of Funding History (PDF; 63KB; 1p.).

Electronic access to resources. Ninety percent of the 5,652 responding school libraries reported the use of an electronic catalog and automated circulation system. Seventy-nine percent reported having access to the Internet. Internet access increases with grade levels: 74 percent of school libraries reported offering access at the elementary school level, 95 percent at the middle school level, and 99 percent at the high school level (CDE Online School Library Survey for 2004-2005).

Need for books. The Internet does not replace the need for books and often increases the demand for up-to-date library materials. Library resources come in a variety of formats--both print and electronic--and are selected on the basis of the best format for the intended user and use.

Library hours. The average number of hours that a California school library is open to students is 28 hours per week. Seventy-six percent of school libraries reported being open during breaks, 70 percent during lunch, and 59 percent before school. Only 12 percent of schools reported having the library available during summer school.

Comparative analysis of school libraries nationwide

The following sites contain statistical information about school libraries across the country:

Digest of Education Statistics, 2005
National Center for Education Statistics (Outside Source).

Library Research Service, Colorado
Research and Statistics About Libraries (Outside Source)

Library Statistics Program
National Center for Education Statistics (Outside Source)