Parents are a Library's greatest ally

Miller, C., Zickhur, K., Rainie, L., Purcell, K. (May 1, 2013). Parents, children, libraries, and reading. Retrieved from http://libraries.pewinternet.org/files/legacy-pdf/PIP_Library_Services_Parents_PDF.pdf


Confession time- I do not like dealing with parents. As a classroom teacher I am usually faced with the question "what are YOU doing wrong?"  To which I naturally want to respond, "Me? I let your child stay up until 2 on a school night, I as the teacher did not turn in the student's assignment, I as the teacher chose not to follow the directions that I gave your student numerous times, etc."  Not that I am allowed to respond in such a fashion.  So you can imagine my surprise when I read Parents, children, libraries, and reading. 

According to the findings of Miller, Zickuhr, et al,  94% of parents of children 18 and under feel that the library is important for their children.  84% of those parents say the library is important because it "libraries help inculcate their children’s love of reading and books," (Miller 2).  That's fantastic!  Just when you had lost all hope for parental involvement.  Parents are also more likely to know about the services the library provides and support the implementing of new services.  Just when I was focusing on how to notify the students I learn that notifying the parents is the key to my success. 

Parents, children, libraries, and reading goes even deeper into what type of parent is the most concerned with library services and technology.  their findings indicate that lower income parents are more likely to encourage the use of the library resources.  They seem to especially be interested in learning and using eReaders (Miller 8).  I honestly would have thought it would have been the exact opposite as I figure the higher income households would have the funds needed to purchase an eReader.  Apparently if the library provides it they will come!

Parents, children, libraries, and reading took their research a step farther and asked parents what services the library offers that they would say is very to extremely important for their children and themselves.  Granted at this point they are speaking about a public library but I feel that their findings can be applied to the school setting as well.  Below are their findings (Miller 50):

• Eight in ten parents say that borrowing books (83%) and free access to computers and the
• internet (81%) are very important library services.
• Roughly eight in ten (79%) parents say that librarians helping people find the information they need is a very important library service.
• Three quarter of parents say that quiet study spaces for adults and children (78%), providing research resources (77%) and programs and classes for children and teens (76%)are very important.
• Seven in ten (68%) parents say that providing free events and activities, such as classes and
• cultural events for people of all ages or job resources (68%)
• is very important.
• Fewer than half (46%) say that providing free public meeting space is a very important service the library provides the public (although an additional 42% say this is somewhat important)

What we as librarians can take away from all of this is that parents WANT us to be involved in their child's education.  While school districts are beginning to view librarians as places to make budget cuts the parents are thinking that their children need them to have a well rounded education.  It is time for us to take advantage of this. Librarians need to get out there and get the parents involved.  Make the libraries indispensable!  They should already be viewed as such- parents see them that way, now we need to make everyone else feel the same.  

(Grad school info- mining pew pages 49-140/ 150).