Library Revitalization Project

About Us

Foundation Adopts $120,000
School Library Revitalization Project

In today’s media-centered society books are often considered secondary to online resources. As a result, libraries across the nation, especially high school libraries, have suffered from inadequate replacement of aging books and Riverview is no exception:

In the 2003-2004 school year RHS had 20,708 books, many of which had a copyright date prior to 1980 (most were copyrighted between 1960 and1975).
This year as part of the District-wide "weeding" process, around 10,000 books were removed. This equates to losing approximately 50% of the library’s collection.
Many more books should have been eliminated to meet the "weeding criteria", but the school’s librarian felt she had to "keep something on the shelf."
The RHS library no longer has enough books to meet school accreditation guidelines for books per student, threatening the status of the school.
RHS’ library facility is definitely the oldest among local high schools.

Reading and literacy are key initiatives in the Sarasota School District and throughout the nation, yet:

A recent National Endowment of the Arts report cites the following facts:
1. "…at the current rate of loss, literary reading as a leisure activity will virtually disappear in half a century"
2. "….less than half of the adult American population now reads for pleasure"
3. "…young adults between 18 and 34, a category that once claimed the status of most-active readers, is now the lowest, dropping 28 percent since 1982"
Frances Roscello, the 2003-2004 President of the American Association of School Librarians, in an article stressing the importance of the school library stated:
1. The library is a place in the school that serves all students. You don’t have to try out, as you do for sports. You just have to walk in the door.
2. The International Reading Association’s periodical "Reading Today" recently published an article called "Libraries Called Key." In this article, the authors quote the current research showing evidence that quality collections and appropriately staffed school libraries can raise student achievement 10-18 percent.
The Gainesville Sun (7/2004) quotes a recent study by the University of Central Florida which found students who attend schools with a well-equipped library that circulates its books do better on FCAT scores than students at schools with under-equipped libraries. The study cites:
1. 2000-2001 FCAT scores were 20 percent higher at high schools with well-equipped libraries
2. Books per pupil in Florida lag the national average at ever school level, and are most inadequate at the high school level where the national average of nearly 50 per student is five times higher than in Florida (10/student). The current RHS collection has less than 5 books/student.
3. Approximately half the books in Florida media centers are more than 15 years old.
4. School libraries in Florida have far fewer books than the national average, have too many old books and spend less per student than average

Help the RHS Library!

We need: $120,000

Thanks to you we’re at $75,000 or 62% →

We support the continued reform of Sarasota District Schools; however this is an immediate need at Riverview High that must be addressed during the current school year.

For each $50 contribution, we will put a book plate with any name you designate, in a book that we obtain for the library. Send donations (and indicate book plate name to:

RHS Foundation
One Ram Way
Sarasota, FL 34231

Thank you!

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Free SixxacMenu module license Home About Us Scholarships/Grants Calendar of Events From the President Board Members How You Can Give Contact Us Alumni & Friends Ram Page Online TelegRam FRIENDS OF RIVERVIEW Small Learning Communities RHS Reunion Signup Minutes and Financials	About Us Foundation Adopts $120,000 School Library Revitalization Project In today’s media-centered society books are often considered secondary to online resources. As a result, libraries across the nation, especially high school libraries, have suffered from inadequate replacement of aging books and Riverview is no exception: In the 2003-2004 school year RHS had 20,708 books, many of which had a copyright date prior to 1980 (most were copyrighted between 1960 and1975). This year as part of the District-wide "weeding" process, around 10,000 books were removed. This equates to losing approximately 50% of the library’s collection. Many more books should have been eliminated to meet the "weeding criteria", but the school’s librarian felt she had to "keep something on the shelf." The RHS library no longer has enough books to meet school accreditation guidelines for books per student, threatening the status of the school. RHS’ library facility is definitely the oldest among local high schools. Reading and literacy are key initiatives in the Sarasota School District and throughout the nation, yet: A recent National Endowment of the Arts report cites the following facts: "…at the current rate of loss, literary reading as a leisure activity will virtually disappear in half a century" "….less than half of the adult American population now reads for pleasure" "…young adults between 18 and 34, a category that once claimed the status of most-active readers, is now the lowest, dropping 28 percent since 1982" Frances Roscello, the 2003-2004 President of the American Association of School Librarians, in an article stressing the importance of the school library stated: The library is a place in the school that serves all students. You don’t have to try out, as you do for sports. You just have to walk in the door. The International Reading Association’s periodical "Reading Today" recently published an article called "Libraries Called Key." In this article, the authors quote the current research showing evidence that quality collections and appropriately staffed school libraries can raise student achievement 10-18 percent. The Gainesville Sun (7/2004) quotes a recent study by the University of Central Florida which found students who attend schools with a well-equipped library that circulates its books do better on FCAT scores than students at schools with under-equipped libraries. The study cites: 2000-2001 FCAT scores were 20 percent higher at high schools with well-equipped libraries Books per pupil in Florida lag the national average at ever school level, and are most inadequate at the high school level where the national average of nearly 50 per student is five times higher than in Florida (10/student). The current RHS collection has less than 5 books/student. Approximately half the books in Florida media centers are more than 15 years old. School libraries in Florida have far fewer books than the national average, have too many old books and spend less per student than average Help the RHS Library! We need: $120,000 Thanks to you we’re at $75,000 or 62% → We support the continued reform of Sarasota District Schools; however this is an immediate need at Riverview High that must be addressed during the current school year. For each $50 contribution, we will put a book plate with any name you designate, in a book that we obtain for the library. Send donations (and indicate book plate name to: RHS Foundation One Ram Way Sarasota, FL 34231 Thank you!	Register \| Login Click the button below to make a Tax Deductible Donation to the RHS Foundation. Learn More RHS photos Complete online news at RHS