BILL NUMBER: S7522
SPONSOR: CLEARE
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the education law, in relation to requiring librarians
for schools in New York city
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This bill would ensure that young children who are at a critical devel-
opmental stage will have access to school librarian services and the
educational benefits that school librarians provide.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section one of the bill would amend section 275 of the Education Law to
require that every elementary school, middle school and high school in
the city of New York must have a school librarian.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
School libraries and librarians are important resources that can help
foster in children a strong love of reading and of learning, improve
critical thinking skills, and improve test scores. Young children early
in their development are particularly receptive to these benefits, so it
is especially important to guarantee library access and librarian
services to children in elementary school and middle school. Current law
requires that all high schools provide a librarian, but does not address
schools for younger students. This bill would extend that requirement to
middle and elementary schools.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
A.8751 (2019-20) A. 4802 (2017-18) A. 4109 (2015-16) A.9880 (2013-14)
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the first of July next succeeding the date
on which it shall have become a law.

Statutes affected:
S7522: 275 education law