Developing the Evidence Base: Public Libraries' Impact on Children and Young People’s Learning

In November 2007, MLA North East commissioned ERS to undertake a piece of research to establish public libraries’ impact on children and young people’s learning, with objectives to: Identify how and what impact North East libraries have on children and young people’s learning; Identify the key strengths of public libraries in this field; Identify activities which demonstrate the libraries’ contribution to children and young people’s learning; Recommend how libraries and MLA North East should collect and present evidence in future; and Indicate clear actions for MLA North East and the library sector to deliver on key learning priorities.

In order to gather evidence, a range of methods were employed, including a review of documentation provided by library authorities and MLA North East, and national reports and guidance, for example, Department for Children, Schools and Families and The Reading Agency. In advance of this study, questionnaires had been designed and distributed by MLA North East to Children and Young People’s Librarians in each authority across the region. These were designed to capture information regarding delivery, numbers of participants, coverage of delivery, partnership working and self-evaluated strengths of delivery.

The Study Team has taken the completed responses for analysis, as well as following up in interviews. Face to face interviews were undertaken with representatives of each of the 12 library authorities in the North East. This has been supplemented by additional telephone and face to face interviews with a range of stakeholders, including representatives from other Local Authority departments/directorates, Government Office for the North East, Regional Youth Work Unit and MLA Council in London. Finally, a postal and electronic survey was distributed to schools across the region. In total, just over 1,000 schools were offered the opportunity to participate, with a response rate of approximately 10%.

ERS contact: vpagan@ers.org.uk 0191 244 6105
A copy of the report can be accessed using the following link

http://www.mlanortheast.org.uk/nemlac/page.php3?p=359&fp=358