Great Issues Forum

The Library Effect: Preparing Students for the 21st Century
Wednesday Oct. 18, 2006
4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Salt Lake City Public Library

Study after study shows that robust school libraries, with up-to-date collections and staffed by certified school librarians, improve student learning. Yet school libraries throughout Utah are often under-funded and lack certified school librarians. The Utah Library Association will focus on this issue during its annual Great Issues Forum on Wednesday, October 18. Keith Curry Lance, Director of Library Research Service at the Colorado State Library and author of The Impact of School Library Media Centers on Academic Achievement, will be the keynote speaker of the forum titled, "The Library Effect: Preparing Students for the 21st Century." A panel will lead the discussion on why school libraries are important not just to Utah's children, but to all of Utah's citizens. The Great Issues Forum will be held from 4:30 pm until 6:00 pm in the auditorium of the Salt Lake City Public Library located at 210 East 400 South.

Dr. Lance has led numerous studies documenting the impact of school libraries on student learning in more than a dozen states. He will be joined by panelists Georgia Loutensock, Education Specialist, Utah State Office of Education; Lynnda Wangsgard, Director, Weber County Libraries; Carol Hansen, Professor and Instruction Services Librarian, Weber State University; and Utah State Representative Tim Cosgrove. The discussion will include details about the current state of Utah school libraries and the importance of school libraries in preparing students for higher education and work in the knowledge economy. The panel will also address how school, public, and academic librarians can work with Utah's legislature and citizens to ensure that high-quality libraries are a part of every Utah child's education.

Speaker Biographies