ACRL College & Research Libraries News

Association of College & Research Libraries

Ann Viles: Fast Facts

Ann Viles is coordinator of reference and instruction at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina, e-mail: vilesea@conrad.appstate.edu

Electronic trade books

AtRandom, the new Random House electronic imprint, plans to release 20 titles solely in electronic format starting in January. Time Warner was the first major trade publisher to establish a digital imprint with its iPublish.com last spring. (David D. Kirkpatrick, "Random House to Establish Exclusively Digital Unit," New York Times, July 31, 2000, natl. ed.: C1)

Lifelong learning

Data from the National Center for Education Statistics’s National Household Education Survey indicate that “participation in adult education was approximately four times the enrollment in higher education in 1991, and six times the higher education enrollment in 1999.” (Kwang Kim and Sean Creighton, "Participation in Adult Education in the United States: 1998-1999," Education Statistics Quarterly 2, no. 1 (Spring 2000). http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2000/qrtlyspring/6life/q6-1.html. July 30, 2000)

Federal funding

After adjustments for inflation, data from federal agencies, such as the Department of Education’s Budget Office, show an 87 percent increase from 1980 to 1999 in federal funding for libraries, museums, cultural activities and miscellaneous research. (Charlene M. Hoffman, "Federal Support for Education: Fiscal Years 1980 to 1999," Education Statistics Quarterly 2, no. 1 (Spring 2000). http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2000/qrtlyspring/6life/q6-1.html. July 30, 2000)

Federal grants

The Institute of Museum and Library Services, created by Congress in 1996 to administer grants to libraries and museums, has an annual budget of more than $190 million, which included $166.25 million for library services in Fiscal Year 2000. (Institute of Museum and Library Services, "Frequently Asked Questions About IMLS."http://www.imls.gov/ about/abt_faqs.htm. August 1, 2000)

Federal count of libraries

According to the Institute of Museum and Library Services, “there are 122,000 libraries and 10,000 museum sites in the United States and its territories.” ("Museums and Libraries Measure their Impact," Institute of Museum and Library Services, http://www.imls.gov/ whatsnew/current/071400-5.htm. August 1, 2000)

I’d rather be reading

Reading was one of the “two or three most favorite leisure time activities” for 31% of adults (aged 18 or over) surveyed by Harris Poll in June. Twenty-three percent indicated watching TV, and 6% said computer activities were among their favorite pastimes. (Humphrey Taylor, "Reading Remains the Nation’s Favorite Leisure Time Activity, Increasing Its Lead Over Watching TV," Harris Poll #35, July 12, 2000. http://www.louisharris.com/harris_poll/index.asp?PID=98. August 1,2000)

Thanks to Mike Hanson, reference librarian at Western Wisconsin Technical College, for his contributions and suggestions.