Bill > A01538

This bill requires school districts to employ a certified school library media specialist in each elementary, intermediate, middle, junior high, and senior high school within three years. The staffing requirements are based on student enrollment: schools with 100 or fewer students must employ a specialist at 0.15 full-time equivalent, schools with 100-300 students at 0.3 full-time equivalent, schools with 300-500 students at 0.5 full-time equivalent, and schools with more than 500 students must have a full-time specialist. Schools with 1,000-2,000 students require a full-time specialist and support staff, while schools with 2,000 or more students must have two full-time specialists and two support staff, with an additional support staff person for each additional 1,000 students. The bill also allows the commissioner of education to grant a two-year waiver for schools in areas with a shortage of certified library media specialists, provided they submit a compliance plan. Additionally, the bill expands the definition of school library materials to include online and electronic materials needed for media literacy programs, ensuring that school libraries can keep up with evolving technology and learning resources.

Education

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A1538