RI 2026 S2078: Education - The School Libraries Act

Plain-English Summary

The School Libraries Act mandates that every public school in Rhode Island, including charter and vocational schools, must maintain a dedicated school library and employ a certified school librarian. The bill establishes specific standards for library facilities, including requirements for books, technology, and study spaces. It sets staffing ratios based on student population, requiring at least one full-time librarian for schools with 250 or more students. The legislation outlines a phased implementation schedule to achieve full compliance in all K-12 schools by the 2031-2032 school year and requires daily student access to these facilities.

For younger readers

This new law says that every public school in Rhode Island must have a real library. The library has to have plenty of books, computers, and a quiet place to read. It also says that schools must have a special teacher, called a librarian, to help you find books and learn how to do research. By the time you are grown up, every school will have a librarian all day long. It also says the library has to be open for you to visit every day, and sometimes even after school or on Saturdays.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups

Public School StudentsSchool LibrariansSchool AdministratorsTaxpayersTeachers

Impacted communities

All

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

None Likely

Estimated cost

Amount unknown

Estimated revenue

None

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints

For Progressives

Promotes educational equity by ensuring that students in all districts, regardless of socioeconomic status, have access to high-quality information resources and technology.
Enhances media and information literacy education, which is critical for combating misinformation and empowering future voters to navigate the digital landscape.
Guarantees the employment of certified union professionals in schools, protecting educational standards and preventing the replacement of experts with unskilled labor.
Creates a significant unfunded mandate that may force lower-income districts to cut funding from other vital social services or arts programs to comply with hiring requirements.
May impose rigid structures on charter or alternative schools that utilize different, innovative educational models to serve disadvantaged populations.
Focuses resources on traditional physical infrastructure rather than direct community aid or holistic student support services like mental health counseling.

For Conservatives

Focuses on improving literacy rates and standardized test scores by ensuring students have access to reading materials and research tools.
Emphasizes career and college readiness by mandating that students learn how to utilize information resources and technology effectively.
Requires specific, tangible assets (books and facilities) and defined outcomes rather than funding vague administrative programs.
Strips local school boards and municipalities of control over their own budgets and staffing decisions by imposing a "one-size-fits-all" state mandate.
Will likely result in significant property tax increases to pay for the required facility renovations, technology, and new full-time salaries.
Centralizes control over information resources, potentially facilitating the introduction of controversial or age-inappropriate materials into schools under the guise of "information literacy."

Votes

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Full Bill Text

Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 86 additions

SECTION 1. Title 16 of the General Laws entitled "EDUCATION" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter: 16-117-1. Short title. This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "The School Libraries Act". 16-117-2. Statement of policy.

(a) The general assembly hereby declares the following to be the policy of this state:

(1) School libraries, with well-funded programs, are essential to schools as research consistently shows that students become better readers and read more when they are provided with a wide variety of reading materials from which they can select to read. School librarians are trained experts and are highly qualified to provide dynamic book collections meeting all reading levels and spanning a variety of interests that allow students to choose their reading materials. School libraries and school librarians foster a love of reading and a love of learning that enables students to become life-long learners.

(2) School libraries and school librarians are essential in the instruction of information literacy and media literacy in the age of limitless information sources, social media, misinformation and disinformation. School librarians teach students to identify, evaluate and use information in order to become competent researchers and ethical consumers and users of information.

(3) In order to be college and career ready in the twenty first century, students shall have access to and be able to use information resources including books, digital media, web resources, databases, and technology vetted by school librarians. Library programs provide equitable opportunity for all students to be able to read, locate, evaluate and interpret information accurately for academic and professional success.

(4) Research consistently demonstrates that in schools with well-equipped and well- stocked school libraries staffed by certified school librarians, students achieve higher scores on standardized reading tests, have higher graduation rates, and enjoy learning more even when taking demographics into consideration. 16-117-3. Definitions. As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the following meanings unless a different meaning is clearly indicated by the context:

(1) "Commissioner” means the commissioner of elementary and secondary education.

(2) “Information literacy” means a set of abilities requiring individuals to recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information.

(3) “Media literacy” means the ability to critically analyze stories presented in the mass media and to determine their accuracy or credibility.

(4) “Public schools” means all public schools of any city or town in the state. This term also includes all charter public schools, including district charter schools, independent charter schools, and mayoral academies, and vocational schools.

(5) “School librarian” means a teaching professional who is certified by the department of elementary and secondary education as an all grades library media teacher who is hired to run a school library. This position may also be known as a school library media specialist.

(6) “School library” means a permanent facility in a public school that is available to the entire school community and that contains learning and information resources and reading materials in print and non-print media that is maintained and supervised by a certified school librarian. This facility may also be known as a school library media center or library commons. 16-117-4. A school library in each public school.

(a) Pursuant to §16-1-5(7), the commissioner shall ensure that every public school in Rhode Island has a school library in a permanent and dedicated space.

(b) A school library shall include the following essential elements, as determined by professional standards:

(1) A collection of books and reading materials that is adequate in size for the student population of the school in order that every student is offered a range of choices to meet their reading interests and reading level and that also supports the teaching and learning priorities of the school;

(2) Appropriate space for students to read and study comfortably and for instruction to occur;

(3) Adequate technology for students to utilize to access information resources, complete school assignments and produce original work;

(4) An automated system for the management of the library collection; and

(5) An adequate budget for library materials in order that they are kept up to date and in good condition. 16-117-5. A certified school librarian assigned to every public school.

(a) Pursuant to §16-1-5(7), the commissioner shall ensure that every public school in Rhode Island has a certified school librarian to manage and maintain the library, provide information resources to students and staff, promote reading and teach information literacy skills.

(b) All public schools in Rhode Island with populations of two hundred fifty (250) students or more shall have at least one full-time certified school librarian who is dedicated to administering and supervising the school library. Public schools with fewer than two hundred fifty (250) students shall have at least a half-time certified school librarian who is dedicated to administering and supervising the school library.

(1) By the 2027-2028 school year: All high schools shall have at least one full-time, certified school librarian;

(2) By the 2029-2030 school year: All high schools and middle schools shall have at least one full-time, certified school librarian; and

(3) By the 2031-2032 school year: All schools kindergarten through grade twelve (K-12), shall have at least one full-time, certified school librarian. 16-117-6. Student access to the school library and its resources.

(a) Pursuant to §16-1-5(7), the commissioner shall ensure that public schools shall provide students with access to the school library on a daily basis in order that students are aware of when and how they are allowed to go to the library for book selection, reading, independent work, and related activities.

(b) The provision set forth in subsection (a) of this section shall be required for all levels, kindergarten through grade twelve (K-12), and shall include time other than “library class” time or scheduled research class time.

(d) Secondary schools shall provide access to students beyond the school day. This access may include before-school, after-school and/or Saturday hours.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.