Despite the recent interest in studying American education and remedying its problems, school libraries and media centers have been neglected in analyses of educational assessment and as instruments for educational improvement. Although statistics have been gathered on the number of books owned, information is also needed about the collection's currency, value, and utilization. Information should also be collected about the non-print materials, and students' use of databases and computers. Reliable and consistent methods are not commonly used for counting resources and personnel in school libraries, nor are current technologies used. Harvard University's Gutman Library has been collecting information on the use of microcomputers in 10,000 educational institutions. The data reported have not been reliable, particularly concerning the use of copyrighted software which has been copied by schools. As computer use increases in the school curricula, better ways to collect data on their use are needed. The advent of telecommunications as part of a formal education will also affect data collection methods and needs. (GDC)