Bill > HB1589

This bill amends the Public School Code of 1949 to establish comprehensive requirements for school library collections and staffing, beginning in the 2026-2027 school year. The legislation mandates that public schools maintain library collections with at least 5,000 print items or ten books per student, and provide access to state-funded electronic resources like the POWER library. The bill defines a "certified school librarian" as a teacher with specialized library certification or who has passed the Praxis II School Librarian test, and requires these librarians to direct library development, instruct students and staff on library use, and assess library programs to align with the school's curriculum. The bill also provides detailed definitions for key terms such as "library," "library collection," and "public school," expanding the definition to include schools operated by school districts, intermediate units, and charter schools. Additionally, the bill requires the Department of Education to create regulations for implementing these library standards, with the act taking effect 60 days after its passage, representing a significant effort to standardize and improve school library resources and support across Pennsylvania.

Education

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1589