Direct Aid to Texas Public Libraries

STRONG LIBRARIES = STRONG COMMUNITIES

SUPPORT LIBRARY SERVICES IN OUR SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES

SUPPORT HB 791 (Dutton)

THE FACTS—SCHOOL LIBRARIES

 Good school libraries equal higher student achievement. A study sponsored by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission, as well as over a dozen studies conducted nationally, demonstrate that students in schools with strong school libraries perform better in standardized tests.

 However, Texas support for school libraries is minimal. The Texas Education Agency offers no specified support for school library programs or school librarians. And, the Texas State Library and Archives Commission receives no funding to support school library access to library resources.

 School libraries are a vital instructional component of education in the K-12 learning environment and provide consistent instruction that transfers through the entire K-16 continuum.

 School librarians are frontline educational professionals who teach students and faculty how to locate, evaluate, and use information and have, by certification standards, classroom teaching experience. .

However, there is no state funded program to support students’ school library needs and no mandate to examine how Texas school library programs can be strengthened to support learning at all levels of education.

HB 791 (Dutton) would add criteria in the rules for rating a school district under the public accountability system that includes consideration of the effectiveness of the district’s delivery of resources from school libraries.

RECOMMENDED ACTION

 Co-Sponsor HB 791 (Rep. Dutton)  Support measures requiring the state to evaluate how school library programs can be strengthened to support K-12 education

TEXAS LIBRARY ASSOCIATION 2007 LEGISLATIVE ISSUES www.txla.org; contact: Gloria Meraz at 512/328-1518 (2/6/07) STRONG LIBRARIES = STRONG COMMUNITIES

SUPPORT LIBRARY SERVICES IN OUR SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES

THE FACTS—PUBLIC LIBRARIES

 Public libraries are deeply involved with people, technology, and quality of life in their communities. Public libraries offer collections and programs that support early literacy, education, workforce readiness, and businesses. They help make communities stronger, healthier, and more competitive.

 More than any other public institution, the library can fight the inequity created by the digital divide. The library provides not only the resources and technology that people of all ages need; it also assists and instructs those who need help in order to participate in today’s complex informational systems.

 Public libraries are a part of the solution to many of today’s most pressing concerns, including illiteracy and economic disadvantage—the source of many other problems, such as crime, unemployment, and unhealthy populations.

 Investing in libraries is an important way of helping local governments—as well as the state and the local taxpayer—from having to make a greater expenditure down the road.

 According to a national study conducted by Public Agenda in 2006 concerning the public’s attitude about libraries, “libraries seem to have escaped the public’s general cynicism about government wasting taxpayer money. A majority of the public says their local libraries use money well.” And, “faced with the prospect of local libraries in trouble, even non-users say they would raise taxes rather than cut back services or charge fees.”

RECOMMENDED ACTION

 Support measures that give local communities the best opportunity to fund strong library service.

TEXAS LIBRARY ASSOCIATION 2007 LEGISLATIVE ISSUES www.txla.org; contact: Gloria Meraz at 512/328-1518 (2/6/07)