To Read Or Not To Read: A Statistical Study

Too Read Or Not To Read is a statistical study published in November 2007 by the National Endowment of the Arts. It is a study of the reading trends of the American public. This national study was based on data collected from various government agency studies and academic surveys. The study is disturbing because the data makes it clear that even college graduates are reading less. And reading less means we're reading less well. The cultural implications of this trend are alarming. The data doesn't show cause and effect, but the statistics do show correlations, such as reading does result in higher academic and professional success.

It is clear from the statistics, that reading is transformative. "Reading correlates with almost every measurement of positive personal and social behavior surveyed."

One of the many disturbing trends noted in this report is that nearly half of all Americans ages 18 to 24 read no books for pleasure. Another is that reading among elementary students has increased measurably but this progress seems to halt completely when these students become teenagers.

The data contained in this report leads to the following conclusions:

• Americans are spending less time reading.

• Reading comprehension skills are eroding.

• These declines have serious civic, social, cultural, and economic implications.

This study is a must- read for all librarians. You can download the complete report at: http://www.nea.gov/news/news07/TRNR.html.

It is clear from the statistics, that reading changes lives. We librarians and teachers and parents must recognize this dangerous trend and develop plans to stop it.