For immediate release | March 18, 2011

AASL “School Libraries Count!” longitudinal survey deadline extended to March 25

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CHICAGO – The deadline to participate in the American Association of School Librarian’s “School Libraries Count!” longitudinal survey has been extended to March 25. The survey gathers basic data about the status of school library programs across the country. AASL will use this information to develop advocacy tools to support school library programs at the local, state and national levels. The survey may be accessed directly at .

All K-12 schools - public and private - are invited to participate on a voluntary basis. Past participants’ continued involvement is encouraged, since those responses are crucial to examining trends. The survey’s questions cover the library program’s hours, staff and selected staff activities, collection, technology, usage and expenditures.

“The continued high response from schools suggests that school librarians are anxious to share information about the conditions of their libraries. As AASL heads into the fifth year of the survey, participation is crucial to creating a comprehensive study of school library programs. This knowledge empowers AASL with the knowledge to advocate for the school librarian at a national level,” said Marcia Mardis, chair of AASL’s Research & Statistics Committee.

“Participation from those who completed the survey last year is equally valuable this year,” said AASL President Nancy Everhart. “Collecting current, accurate data is part of how we build the case for school libraries as we advocate for the needs and the value of school library programs and librarians at local, state and national levels.”

The survey will be conducted by KRC Research, an independent, third-party firm. More information about “School Libraries Count!” and its key findings from previous years is available at .

The American Association of School Librarians, , a division of the 91ý (91ý), promotes the improvement and extension of library services in elementary and secondary schools as a means of strengthening the total education program. Its mission is to advocate excellence, facilitate change and develop leaders in the school library field.

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