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View and Reflect

Site: MSL Learn
Course: Connecting with Local Government Officials - Better Libraries, Better Achievement, Better Futures
Book: View and Reflect
Printed by: Guest user
Date: Friday, 21 November 2025, 7:56 AM

Description

Work through this section to access discussion questions, webinar recording, speaker information, and resources. 

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Table of contents

Discussion Questions

  1. What role should public libraries play in supporting children's academic achievement, and how can this be communicated effectively to local government officials?

  2. How can libraries balance the need for user privacy with the growing demand for data to demonstrate impact and secure funding?

  3. In what ways can libraries and schools collaborate more effectively to support literacy and learning outcomes, especially during out-of-school time like summer?

  4. Given the evidence that capital investments in libraries increase usage and improve reading scores, how should communities prioritize funding between libraries and other public services?

  5. What are the potential benefits and challenges of conducting local studies (e.g., tracking summer reading participants) to measure library program effectiveness?

  6. How can anecdotal stories and empirical data be combined to create a compelling case for library funding and community support?

Discussion questions generated by Microsoft Copilot from webinar transcript.

Recording

(50:57)

📌 Key Highlights from Dr. Karger’s Presentation

📚 Research Focus

  • Investigates how capital investments in public libraries (e.g., new buildings, renovations) affect children’s academic outcomes, particularly test scores.
  • Based on joint research with Greg Gilpin (Montana State University) and Peter Nencka (Miami University of Ohio).

📊 Data Sources

  • Public Library Survey (PLS) from IMLS: Tracks library spending, programming, circulation, and attendance.
  • Stanford Education Data Archive (SEDA): Harmonized test score data for grades 3–8 across U.S. school districts.

📈 Findings

  • Library usage increases significantly (up to 30%) after capital investments:
    • Visits
    • Children’s material circulation
    • Attendance at children’s events
  • Reading test scores improve 3–5 years after investment (0.02–0.03 standard deviation increase).
  • Math scores show smaller, less consistent gains.
  • Effects are localized—benefits are seen in communities near the improved libraries.
  • Smaller investments do not yield the same academic benefits.

MSL Resources and Consulting

You can learn more about libraries and academic achievement in a variety of ways.

MSL Lifelong Learning webpage.

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