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Pennsylvania Library Legislation

Pennsylvania Candidates Support School Libraries - November 1, 2020

Reported by Debra E. Kachel, Co-Chair of the PSLA Advocacy Committee

The Pennsylvania School Librarians Association, with the assistance of EveryLibrary, recently conducted a survey of candidates running for seats in the Pennsylvania General Assembly to gage their support for school library programs. Overwhelmingly, candidates expressed their support of school libraries and certified librarians, including funding and regulations for all schools to have school librarians for K-12 students. Almost 20% of candidates responded (N= 64) as of November 1, 2020. 

Read the FULL REPORT HERE for names and responses!

 

Pennsylvania State School Librarian Legislation Update – October 2020

The “One Certified Librarian per Public School” 

Companion bills in both the PA House and Senate are seeking co-sponsors as each bill has been assigned to their respective Education Committees. HB 1355, introduced by Rep. Mark Longietti (D-serving part of Mercer County) and Rep. Thomas Murt (R- serving parts of Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties), now has 73 co-sponsors. SB 752, introduced by Sen. John Blake (D-parts of Lackawanna, Luzerne, and Monroe counties), has 14 co-sponsors. See the complete list of co-sponsors at https://paschoollibraryproject.org/palegislation/home. The language for both bills is identical. Links to the bills are as follows: HB 1355 and SB 752. 

CURRENT CALL TO ACTION

Contact your PA House Representative and your PA state Senator today to encourage them to sign the co-sponsorship memoranda. Refer to either HB 1355 or SB 752 the “One Certified Librarian per Public School” bill.

To find out who your state legislators are and contact info, type your full address here.

Remember, you may have two sets of state legislators who you can contact—ones for your home address, and possibly different ones for your work address. Check both addresses and contact all Representatives and Senators!

The Ask: Please sign the co-sponsorship memoranda One “Certified Librarian” Per Public School

Possible Talking Points:

  • All students deserve to have access to quality resources and instruction that a school library program and certified librarian provides, not just those who live in a wealthy zip code.

  • School librarians teach students to evaluate information that they read, see or view, learning how to distinguish reliable and trustworthy information from misinformation and fake news.

  • Prison libraries are required to have certified librarians in Pennsylvania, but not our public schools.

  • Please add a personal story of how your school library program made a difference with a student!

 Resources to Help Advocate for the Legislation (.pdfs)