For the past 20 something years, our March editorial has delivered readers the average book prices, with predictions for the upcoming year. While book budgets now compete with many other demands on resources, they’re still the most important factor in budget preparations (as witnessed by the fact that “average book prices” remains the most popular search on slj.com). I’m pleased that this year, Al Greco, a professor at Fordham’s Graduate School of Business, has provided us with more complete information than we’ve ever had—in fact, he’s even promising average prices for ebooks next year.

It’s increasingly critical for librarians to have good data. We all know how quickly everything is changing, from the fiscal structures that support libraries to the content they purchase. We need statistics not just to help us plan, but also to help us evaluate our programs, establish benchmarks, and show stakeholders and funders where we stand in relation to our teaching peers. As Lesley Farmer writes in this issue: “Now, more than ever, school librarians need to know how their colleagues are faring, if for no other reason than for equitable educational experiences for students around the country.”

SLJ is more committed than ever before to providing school and public librarians with useful data. For starters, turn to our biennial spending survey (pp. 42–47) for an in-depth analysis of both school library budgets and how media specialists are investing their resources. This May, look for the results of our national technology survey, which will bring you up-to-date on the crucial role that school librarians are playing in buying, providing, and teaching technology.

In the fall, we’ll publish our second report on the status of ebooks in libraries, to coincide with our second Virtual Ebook Summit to be held October 12. And in November, look for our first report on the state of children’s services in public libraries (with young adult services following in 2012).

So take out your highlighter, and turn to “SLJ’s Spending Survey.” Numbers don’t tell the whole story of what libraries are or what they do. But they’re useful ammunition in the ongoing battle for funding.

Brian Kenney
Editor-in-Chief
bkenney@mediasourceinc.com