Reading soars at Dallas ISD
For many, one of the simplest, but most fulfilling, pleasures in life is reading. There is no greater enjoyment than inhabiting universes that arose out of someone else’s imagination, entertaining ideas of men and women long gone, and learning new information that expands knowledge of the world. And libraries are where these new worlds are readily available. In honor of School Library Month, celebrated in April, librarians are encouraged to host activities that reinforce the vital role that school libraries play in empowering learning. Thanks to changes in schools, such as the device-free policy, foot traffic in libraries has increased, and Library Services has provided recent statistics that point to a resurging interest in reading.
Annual circulation metrics
Total districtwide circulation reflects a significant commitment to the culture of literacy standard, ensuring students have access to a diverse range of print and digital materials.
| Metric Category | Current Year-to-Date Performance |
|---|---|
| Total districtwide checkouts (physical books) | 766,548 |
| Total digital checkouts (Sora eBooks and audiobooks) | 233,819 |
| Circulation growth (comparison to prior year) | 21% Increase |
| New titles added to collections | 47,522 |
Circulation trends and impact
The 21% increase in physical book checkouts suggests a positive response to the district’s new device-free policy and other programs that encourage reading, with librarians reporting a noticeable surge in library traffic and reader engagement. This growth aligns with the district’s goal to push circulation back to pre-pandemic highs. See graphic below for larger increases at specific campuses.
Top performing titles by school level
These titles represent the most frequently checked-out materials through the LS2 PAC system, demonstrating student reading preferences across various grade bands.
Elementary School
- Fetch 22 by Dav Pilkey
- Creepy Crayons by Aaron Reynolds
- Cabin Fever by Jeff Kinney
- Selena by Patty Rodriguez
Middle School
- Invisible by Christina Diaz Gonzalez
- Hard Luck by Jeff Kinney
- The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot
- One Dead Spy by Nathan Hale
High School
- Long Lankin by Lindsey Barraclough
- The Pit and the Pendulum by Sean Tulien
- Killer Instinct by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
- Scarlet by Marissa Meyer
Campus leadership in circulation
The following campuses currently lead the district in total circulation, serving as models for effective reader advisory and library engagement strategies.
Top elementary campuses
- Lakewood Elementary School
- Sylvia Mendez CREW Leadership Academy
- Annie Webb Blanton Elementary School
- Rosemont Primary School
- F.P. Caillet Elementary School
Top districtwide campuses (Cross-Level)
- Lakewood Elementary School
- Sylvia Mendez CREW Leadership Academy
- The School for the Talented and Gifted in Pleasant Grove
- Henry W. Longfellow Career Exploration Academy
- Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School
- Hillcrest High School
The library as an innovation and AI hub
Beyond traditional circulation, Dallas ISD libraries have evolved into primary spaces for foundational computer science and emerging technology under the Inquiry and Innovation standard. Librarians track hands-on lessons that prepare students for a technological society. This year, thousands of students engaged in:
- Robotics and coding: Learning foundational logic with Bee-Bots and Ozobots.
- Emerging tech: Participating in 3D printing, podcasting, and the “Hour of AI”.
- AI literacy: Receiving direct instruction on prompt engineering, ethical AI use, and digital media creation using tools like Google Gemini, Adobe Express, and Canva Pro.
