An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in books, furniture and supplies, providing for school library collections.

PRINTER'S NO. 1899
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 1589
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY SCOTT, HARKINS, WEBSTER, GIRAL, PIELLI, HILL-
EVANS, WAXMAN, PARKER, MERSKI, CEPEDA-FREYTIZ, GUENST,
PROBST, SANCHEZ, HOHENSTEIN, HOWARD, OTTEN, MAYES, RIVERA AND
MALAGARI, JUNE 10, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, JUNE 11, 2025
AN ACT
Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An
act relating to the public school system, including certain
provisions applicable as well to private and parochial
schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the
laws relating thereto," in books, furniture and supplies,
providing for school library collections.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known
as the Public School Code of 1949, is amended by adding a
section to read:
Section 811. School Library Collections.--(a) Beginning
with the 2026-2027 school year, each public school shall
maintain a library collection that includes a variety of print,
nonprint and electronic resources with required technology and
related equipment of sufficient quality and quantity to support
and supplement the educational needs of students, including a
minimum print collection of five thousand (5,000) items per
school or no less than ten (10) books per student plus access to
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State-funded e-resources, including the POWER library.
(b) A certified school librarian shall:
(1) Direct the development and implementation of a library
of a public school according to the department's guidelines for
school library programs.
(2) Instruct students and staff in the use of the library
collection and the library curriculum standards adopted by the
department.
(3) Assess the library and the library's instructional
programs to meet the needs of the students and the school's
curriculum.
(c) The department shall promulgate regulations as necessary
to implement this section.
(d) As used in this section, the following words and phrases
shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection unless
the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Certified school librarian." An individual who is a
certified teacher and has:
(1) completed a school library certification at an
institution of higher education; or
(2) achieved a minimum score required on the Praxis II
School Librarian test to be employed as a school librarian in
this Commonwealth.
"Department." The Department of Education of the
Commonwealth.
"Library." A central space within a school building that is
staffed by a certified school librarian and accessible to all
students and staff throughout the school day that has
appropriate furnishing to house and circulate the library
collection and provides space for student learning and
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instruction.
"Library collection." Collections of information in formats
that include books, periodicals, audio and visually enhanced
materials, computer and digital resources and applications and
shared information resources through networks or the Internet.
The term does not include books classified as textbooks, except
when used in limited numbers as reference books or books housed
in classrooms.
"Public school." A school operated by a school district,
intermediate unit or charter school.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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