Article Summary –
Michigan senators Rosemary Bayer and Darren Camilleri have introduced three bills that aim to ensure the accessibility of school libraries across the state. The legislation requires every school to establish a library by the 2025-2026 academic year, employ a certified librarian, and assign supervision when a librarian is not present. The senators are also working to include $25 million in funding for school librarians in the state budget.
Michigan Senators Propose Bills on School Libraries Access
Michigan state senators Rosemary Bayer and Darren Camilleri have proposed legislation to promote school libraries accessibility across the state. Submitted in March, the three bills, S.B. 741, 742 and 743, aim to address the scarcity of libraries in public schools.
The legislation mandates every state school to establish a library by the 2025-2026 school year, hire a certified librarian, and designate a student supervisor when a librarian is absent. The requirements can be modified subject to school size, with smaller schools allowed to employ part-time librarians.
Bayer and Camilleri are also working on introducing a $25 million allocation for school librarians in the upcoming state budget. Bayer, who developed her love for reading as a child, wishes to ensure the benefits of reading are sustained for future generations.
The Center for American Progress corroborates Bayer’s belief, suggesting that superior school library programs boost academic achievement. Yet, libraries were among the first to face cuts during the COVID-19 pandemic and the Great Recession.
One of the bills (S.B. 742) requires certified school librarians to work with teachers and administrators to combine information, technology, and research skills with literacy instruction. This is crucial in an era rampant with misinformation and disinformation, especially for children online, Bayer noted.
While the three bills await the Senate Education Committee’s decision, Bayer anticipates them to be voted on and enacted before the next school year begins.
—
Read More Michigan News
