1. What do you see is the role of research in developing ALA initiatives (e.g., 21st Century Literacy)?

The outcome-based research conducted for PLA and ALSC’s Preschool Literacy Initiative provides us with reliable information that helps librarians better understand and promote the value and impact this particular initiative has on families and children. The research data allow us to develop talking points scientifically-based strategies that can be used raise awareness among diverse populations about the importance of reading readiness and the role that libraries can play in that literacy goal.

To illustrate, research has clearly proven the effectiveness of one-on-one tutoring services in teaching adults to read. Data have also demonstrated the value that information literacy initiatives and programs add to academic and experiential learning. Librarians can use the ongoing research results from studies premised on ACRL’s Information Literacy (IL) Competency
Standards for Higher Education to advocate for the integration of IL skills sets into and across the curriculum as well as in the workplace. IL has proven to be a cornerstone of lifelong learning and an essential skill of this new century. It has called librarians to partner with other professionals and NGOs in global initiatives that demand alphabetic and information literacy as a basic human right.

2. How can research inform the policy debates regarding E-rate, CIPA, the USA Patriot Act, and other relevant issues facing libraries?

Having scientifically proven data and experiential evidences about how libraries have successfully use E-rate funds or have been impacted by CIPA and the USA Patriot Act bolsters ALA members and their staff as they lobby Congress to revise existing or emerging legislation that effect libraries.
When library supporters go to Washington to lobby, it is their researched and informed understanding of the value of libraries that allows them to more easily persuade legislators to support local libraries and related literacy initiatives. Our lobbying and public relations efforts call us to make the public and politicians aware of the needs and value of both local and national libraries.

3. How can the Library Research Roundtable help ALA evolve in the coming years?

Longitudinal, outcomes-based, action-based, and other assessment-oriented research are not routinely part of library education at the masters’ level. With organizations such as IMLS requiring proposals that are built on scientific research relevant to the grant projects, there is a need for library professionals to understand how to gather, analyze and publish reliable and valid qualitative or quantitative data. Learning and practicing effective research strategies can help librarians to guide the profession it practices and at the same time win grants. LRRT can continue to provide programs and publications on the importance of and techniques for doing basic and advanced research.

4. What can the ALA President do to support research for the profession?

The President of ALA is the voice of the association and the tens of thousands of library workers, trustees and users in North America. The President should reference research data, cite documented facts and figures, and consulted with recognized authorities as a matter of course in supporting the Association’s advocacy efforts. Additionally, the president should help to make the profession and the public more aware of the on-going and innovative research that librarians do as they seek to advance libraries, literacy, learning, and liberty.