School Libraries to Boost Digital Media Purchases, Report Says

By Rocco Staino -- School Library Journal, 11/10/2008 8:24:00 PM

Despite these tough economic times, school libraries will continue to purchase print materials—especially nonfiction titles—but the biggest growth will be in electronic media, says a recent report by Simba Information, a marketing firm that focuses on the media and publishing industries.

In fact, digital media purchases by school libraries are expected to increase by 6 percent annually through 2013, says the report, “School Library Market Report 2008-2009.”

The report goes on to say that the school library landscape offers a mix of opportunities and challenges for print and electronic content providers, and that overall, libraries do  “have budgets for acquiring materials and these funds are being spent.”

Just how big is this market? There’s an estimated 77,000 media centers in about 92 percent of public schools, according to American Library Association, and they “have the potential to be the hub of the learning activity in schools, providing wide-ranging resources for students and teachers in the quickly changing academic landscape.” That means the total market for school library materials for 2008-2009 stands at $875 million, up 2.8 percent from the year before, the report says.

“The school library market is an almost $1 billion market for which publishers are seeking a share,” says the report, adding that the bulk of materials are purchased at the school site level, representing about 62% of the total market.

When contacted by SLJ, Kathy Mickey, a senior analyst and managing editor of the report said, “The popular market for library material will progress erratically over the next several years,” adding that “school library media centers are strengthening their partnership role with the classroom literacy initiatives, making reading materials for struggling readers and children learning English an excellent opportunity for publishers.”

The report was based on interviews with dozens of school library media specialists, library media program coordinators, and building, district and state officials.

The complete report is available for purchase by calling 888-297- 4622 or emailing customerservice@ simbainformation.com.