AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- THE SCHOOL LIBRARIES ACT (Creates the School Libraries Act.)

S2078

2026 -- S 2078
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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A N A C T
RELATING TO EDUCATION -- THE SCHOOL LIBRARIES ACT

Introduced By:
Senators Gallo, Tikoian, Ciccone, Gu, DiPalma, Burke, LaMountain, and
Murray

Date Introduced:
January 16, 2026

Referred To:
Senate Education
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Title 16 of the General Laws entitled "EDUCATION" is hereby amended by
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adding thereto the following chapter:
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CHAPTER 117
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THE SCHOOL LIBRARIES ACT
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16-117-1. Short title.
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This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "The School Libraries Act".
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16-117-2. Statement of policy.
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(a) The general assembly hereby declares the following to be the policy of this state:
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(1) School libraries, with well-funded programs, are essential to schools as research
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consistently shows that students become better readers and read more when they are provided with
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a wide variety of reading materials from which they can select to read. School librarians are trained
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experts and are highly qualified to provide dynamic book collections meeting all reading levels and
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spanning a variety of interests that allow students to choose their reading materials. School libraries
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and school librarians foster a love of reading and a love of learning that enables students to become
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life-long learners.
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(2) School libraries and school librarians are essential in the instruction of information
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literacy and media literacy in the age of limitless information sources, social media, misinformation
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and disinformation. School librarians teach students to identify, evaluate and use information in
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order to become competent researchers and ethical consumers and users of information.

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(3) In order to be college and career ready in the twenty first century, students shall have
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access to and be able to use information resources including books, digital media, web resources,
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databases, and technology vetted by school librarians. Library programs provide equitable
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opportunity for all students to be able to read, locate, evaluate and interpret information accurately
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for academic and professional success.
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(4) Research consistently demonstrates that in schools with well-equipped and well-
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stocked school libraries staffed by certified school librarians, students achieve higher scores on
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standardized reading tests, have higher graduation rates, and enjoy learning more even when taking
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demographics into consideration.
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16-117-3. Definitions.
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As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the following meanings unless a
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different meaning is clearly indicated by the context:
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(1) "Commissioner” means the commissioner of elementary and secondary education.
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(2) “Information literacy” means a set of abilities requiring individuals to recognize when
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information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed
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information.
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(3) “Media literacy” means the ability to critically analyze stories presented in the mass
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media and to determine their accuracy or credibility.
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(4) “Public schools” means all public schools of any city or town in the state. This term
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also includes all charter public schools, including district charter schools, independent charter
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schools, and mayoral academies, and vocational schools.
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(5) “School librarian” means a teaching professional who is certified by the department of
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elementary and secondary education as an all grades library media teacher who is hired to run a
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school library. This position may also be known as a school library media specialist.
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(6) “School library” means a permanent facility in a public school that is available to the
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entire school community and that contains learning and information resources and reading
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materials in print and non-print media that is maintained and supervised by a certified school
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librarian. This facility may also be known as a school library media center or library commons.
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16-117-4. A school library in each public school.
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(a) Pursuant to §16-1-5(7), the commissioner shall ensure that every public school in Rhode
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Island has a school library in a permanent and dedicated space.
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(b) A school library shall include the following essential elements, as determined by
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professional standards:
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(1) A collection of books and reading materials that is adequate in size for the student

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population of the school in order that every student is offered a range of choices to meet their
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reading interests and reading level and that also supports the teaching and learning priorities of the
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school;
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(2) Appropriate space for students to read and study comfortably and for instruction to
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occur;
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(3) Adequate technology for students to utilize to access information resources, complete
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school assignments and produce original work;
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(4) An automated system for the management of the library collection; and
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(5) An adequate budget for library materials in order that they are kept up to date and in
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good condition.
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16-117-5. A certified school librarian assigned to every public school.
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(a) Pursuant to §16-1-5(7), the commissioner shall ensure that every public school in Rhode
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Island has a certified school librarian to manage and maintain the library, provide information
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resources to students and staff, promote reading and teach information literacy skills.
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(b) All public schools in Rhode Island with populations of two hundred fifty (250) students
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or more shall have at least one full-time certified school librarian who is dedicated to administering
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and supervising the school library. Public schools with fewer than two hundred fifty (250) students
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shall have at least a half-time certified school librarian who is dedicated to administering and
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supervising the school library.
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(c) The requirements of this section shall be phased in as follows:
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(1) By the 2027-2028 school year: All high schools shall have at least one full-time,
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certified school librarian;
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(2) By the 2029-2030 school year: All high schools and middle schools shall have at least
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one full-time, certified school librarian; and
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(3) By the 2031-2032 school year: All schools kindergarten through grade twelve (K-12),
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shall have at least one full-time, certified school librarian.
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16-117-6. Student access to the school library and its resources.
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(a) Pursuant to §16-1-5(7), the commissioner shall ensure that public schools shall provide
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students with access to the school library on a daily basis in order that students are aware of when
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and how they are allowed to go to the library for book selection, reading, independent work, and
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related activities.
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(b) The provision set forth in subsection (a) of this section shall be required for all levels,
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kindergarten through grade twelve (K-12), and shall include time other than “library class” time or
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scheduled research class time.

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(c) School librarians shall be available during this open library time.
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(d) Secondary schools shall provide access to students beyond the school day. This access
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may include before-school, after-school and/or Saturday hours.
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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO EDUCATION -- THE SCHOOL LIBRARIES ACT
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This act would direct the commissioner of elementary and secondary education to ensure
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that every public school has a school library in a permanent and dedicated space. This act would
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also direct the commissioner to ensure that every public school has a certified school librarian to
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manage and maintain the library.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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