[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 21 (Wednesday, February 14, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1399-S1402]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. REED (for himself, Mr. Cochran, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Dodd, Mr. 
        Bingaman, Mr. Wellstone, Mrs. Murray, Ms. Mikulski, Mrs. 
        Clinton, Mr. Chafee, Mr. Rockefeller, Mr. Reid, Mr. Sarbanes, 
        and Mr. Baucus):
  S. 327. A bill to amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
1965 to provide up-to-date school library media resources and well-
trained, professionally certified school library media specialists for 
elementary schools and secondary schools, and for other purposes; to 
the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
  Mr. REED. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce bipartisan 
legislation to support and strengthen America's school libraries.
  Research shows that well-equipped and well-staffed school libraries 
are essential to promoting literacy, learning, and achievement. Indeed, 
recent studies in Colorado, Pennsylvania, and Alaska reveal that a 
strong library media program, consisting of a well-stocked school 
library staffed by a trained, school-library media specialist, helps 
students learn more and score higher on standardized tests than their 
peers in library-impoverished schools. These findings echo earlier 
studies conducted in the 1990s, which found that students in schools 
with well-equipped libraries and professional library specialists 
performed better on achievement tests for reading comprehension and 
basic research skills.
  Mr. President, with our ever-changing global economy, access to 
information and the skills to use it are vital to ensuring that young 
Americans are competitive and informed citizens of the world. That is 
why the school library is so important in supplementing what is learned 
in the classroom; promoting better learning, including reading, 
research, library use, and electronic database skills; and providing 
the foundation for independent learning that allows students to achieve 
throughout their educational careers and their lives.
  While the promise of a well-equipped school library to promote 
literacy, learning, and achievement is boundless, and its importance 
greater than ever, the condition of libraries today does not live up to 
that potential. As Linda Wood, a school-library media specialist from 
South Kingstown High School in Rhode Island, noted during a Health, 
Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee hearing two years ago, school 
library collections are outdated and sparse.
  Many schools across the nation are dependent on books purchased in 
the mid-1960s with dedicated funding provided under the original 
Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965. Many of the 
books still on school library shelves today were purchased with this 
funding and have not been replaced since 1981, when this dedicated 
funding was folded into what is now the Title VI block grant. As a 
result, many books in our school libraries predate the landing of 
manned spacecraft on the moon, the breakup of the Soviet Union, the end 
of Apartheid, the Internet, and advances in DNA research.
  Mr. President, over the past several months I have received over one 
hundred books pulled from library shelves

[[Page S1400]]

across the country which further illustrate the sad state of school 
libraries today. I would like to cite just a few examples.
  A book entitled Rockets Into Space, copyright 1959, informs students 
that ``there is a way to get to the moon and even distant planets, [but 
the trip must] be made in two stages. The first stage would be from 
earth to a space station. The second stage would be from the space 
station to the moon. It would cost a lot of money to buy a ticket to 
the moon.'' This book was checked out of a Los Angeles school library 
13 times since 1995.
  Further, a book found on a Rhode Island school library shelf, 
entitled Studying the Middle East in Elementary and Secondary Schools, 
copyright 1968, contains the following information: ``UNDERSTANDING 
SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ARABS--It is difficult to generalize about 
any group of people and yet there are some characteristics which seem 
predominant and helpful in understanding the Arabs.'' Needless to say, 
the book then proceeds to describe characteristics of Arab people in 
derogatory terms.
  And finally, a book entitled Colonial Life in America, copyright 
1962, found on a shelf in a Philadelphia school library, informs the 
student that life on ``a large plantation in the South was like a 
village. Slave families had their own cabins.'' This book describes 
southern plantation life as idyllic, without reference to the harshness 
and injustice of life as a slave.
  As you can see, in a rapidly changing world, our students are placed 
at a major disadvantage if the only scientific, geographical, and 
historical materials they have access to are outdated and inaccurate. 
The reason for this sad state of affairs is the loss of targeted, 
national funding for school libraries.
  In sum, school library funding is grossly inadequate to the task of 
improving and supplementing collections. Library spending per student 
today is a small fraction of the cost of a new book. Indeed, while the 
average school library book costs $16, the average spending per student 
for books is approximately $6.75 in elementary schools; $7.30 in middle 
schools; and $6.25 in high schools. Consequently, many schools cannot 
remove outdated books from their shelves because there is no money to 
replace these books.
  My home state of Rhode Island is working on an innovative effort to 
ensure that students gain access to materials not available in their 
own school libraries. RILINK, the Rhode Island Library Information 
Network for Kids, gives students and teachers 24-hour Internet access 
to a statewide catalog of school library holdings, complete with 
information about the book's status on the shelf. RILINK also allows 
for on-line request of materials via interlibrary loan, with rapid 
delivery through a statewide courier system, and provides links from 
book information records to related Internet research sites, allowing a 
single book request to serve as a point of departure for a galaxy of 
information sources.
  Unfortunately, such innovations, which could benefit schoolchildren 
across the nation, cannot be expanded without adequate library funding. 
Indeed, the only federal funding that is currently available to school 
libraries is the Title VI block grant, which allows expenditure for 
school library and instructional materials as one of nine choices for 
local uses of funds. Since 1981, states have chosen other needs above 
school library books and technology. Sadly, districts only spend an 
estimated 17 percent of funds on school library and instructional 
materials. This amount is wholly insufficient to replace outdated books 
in both our classrooms and school libraries, and this lack of targeting 
and diffusion of funding is why block grants are so harmful.
  Mr. President, well-trained school library media specialists are also 
essential to helping students unlock their potential. These individuals 
are at the heart of guiding students in their work, providing research 
training, maintaining and developing collections, and ensuring that a 
library fulfills its potential. In addition, they have the skills to 
guide students in the use of the broad variety of advanced 
technological education resources now available.
  Unfortunately, only 68 percent of schools have state-certified 
library media specialists, according to Department of Education 
figures, and, on average, there is only one specialist for every 591 
students. This shortage means that many school libraries are staffed by 
volunteers and are open only a few days a week.
  I am introducing this bipartisan bill today, along with Senators 
Cochran, Kennedy, Dodd, Bingaman, Wellstone, Murray, Mikulski, Clinton, 
Chafee, Rockefeller, Reid, Sarbanes, and Baucus to restore the funding 
that is critical to improving school libraries. The Improving Literacy 
Through School Libraries Act authorizes $500 million to help school 
libraries with the greatest needs update their collections and would 
ensure that students have access to the informational tools they need 
to learn and achieve at the highest levels. This bill allows for 
maximum flexibility, enabling schools to use the funds to update 
library media resources, such as books and advanced technology, train 
school-library media specialists, and facilitate resource-sharing among 
school libraries. The bill also establishes the School Library Access 
Program to provide students with access to school libraries during non-
school hours, including before and after school, weekends, and summers.
  Providing access to the most up-to-date school library collections is 
an essential part of increasing student achievement, improving literacy 
skills, and helping students become lifelong learners. The bipartisan 
Improving Literacy Through School Libraries Act is strongly supported 
by the American Library Association, and will help accomplish these 
essential goals. I urge my colleagues to cosponsor this important 
legislation and work for its inclusion in the upcoming reauthorization 
of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of this bill and a letter of 
support written by the American Library Association be printed in the 
Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                                 S. 327

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Improving Literacy Through 
     School Libraries Act of 2001''.

     SEC. 2. SCHOOL LIBRARY MEDIA RESOURCES.

       Title II of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
     1965 (20 U.S.C. 6801 et seq.) is amended--
       (1) by redesignating part E as part F; and
       (2) by inserting after part D the following:

      ``PART E--ASSISTANCE TO SCHOOL LIBRARIES TO IMPROVE LITERACY

                  ``Subpart 1--Library Media Resources

     ``SEC. 2350. PURPOSE.

       ``The purposes of this subpart are--
       ``(1) to improve literacy skills and academic achievement 
     of students by providing students with increased access to 
     up-to-date school library materials, a well-equipped, 
     technologically advanced school library media center, and 
     well-trained, professionally certified school library media 
     specialists;
       ``(2) to support the acquisition of up-to-date school 
     library media resources for the use of students, school 
     library media specialists, and teachers in elementary schools 
     and secondary schools;
       ``(3) to provide school library media specialists with the 
     tools and training opportunities necessary for the 
     specialists to facilitate the development and enhancement of 
     the information literacy, information retrieval, and critical 
     thinking skills of students; and
       ``(4)(A) to ensure the effective coordination of resources 
     for library, technology, and professional development 
     activities for elementary schools and secondary schools; and
       ``(B) to ensure collaboration between school library media 
     specialists, and elementary school and secondary school 
     teachers and administrators, in developing curriculum-based 
     instructional activities for students so that school library 
     media specialists are partners in the learning process of 
     students.

     ``SEC. 2351. STATE ALLOTMENTS.

       ``The Secretary shall allot to each eligible State 
     educational agency for a fiscal year an amount that bears the 
     same relation to the amount appropriated under section 2360 
     and not reserved under section 2359 for the fiscal year as 
     the amount the State educational agency received under part A 
     of title I for the preceding fiscal year bears to the amount 
     all eligible State educational agencies received under part A 
     of title I for the preceding fiscal year.

     ``SEC. 2352. STATE APPLICATIONS.

       ``To be eligible to receive an allotment under section 2351 
     for a State for a fiscal

[[Page S1401]]

     year, the State educational agency shall submit to the 
     Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and 
     containing such information as the Secretary shall require. 
     The application shall contain a description of--
       ``(1) the manner in which the State educational agency will 
     use the needs assessment described in section 2355(1) and 
     poverty data to allocate funds made available through the 
     allotment to the local educational agencies in the State with 
     the greatest need for school library media improvement;
       ``(2) the manner in which the State educational agency will 
     effectively coordinate all Federal and State funds available 
     for literacy, library, technology, and professional 
     development activities to assist local educational agencies, 
     elementary schools, and secondary schools in--
       ``(A) acquiring up-to-date school library media resources 
     in all formats, including books and advanced technology such 
     as Internet connections; and
       ``(B) providing training for school library media 
     specialists;
       ``(3) the manner in which the State educational agency will 
     develop standards for the incorporation of new technologies 
     into the curricula of elementary schools and secondary 
     schools through school library media programs to develop and 
     enhance the information literacy, information retrieval, and 
     critical thinking skills of students; and
       ``(4) the manner in which the State educational agency will 
     evaluate the quality and impact of activities carried out 
     under this subpart by local educational agencies to make 
     determinations regarding the need of the agencies for 
     technical assistance and whether to continue funding the 
     agencies under this subpart.

     ``SEC. 2353. STATE RESERVATION.

       ``A State educational agency that receives an allotment 
     under section 2351 may reserve not more than 3 percent of the 
     funds made available through the allotment to provide 
     technical assistance, disseminate information about effective 
     school library media programs, and pay administrative costs, 
     relating to this subpart.

     ``SEC. 2354. LOCAL ALLOCATIONS.

       ``(a) In General.--A State educational agency that receives 
     an allotment under section 2351 for a fiscal year shall use 
     the funds made available through the allotment and not 
     reserved under section 2353 to make allocations to local 
     educational agencies.
       ``(b) Agencies.--The State educational agency shall 
     allocate the funds to the local educational agencies in the 
     State that have--
       ``(1) the greatest need for school library media 
     improvement according to the needs assessment described in 
     section 2355(1); and
       ``(2) the highest percentages of poverty, as measured in 
     accordance with section 1113(a)(5).

     ``SEC. 2355. LOCAL APPLICATION.

       ``To be eligible to receive an allocation under section 
     2354 for a fiscal year, a local educational agency shall 
     submit to the State educational agency an application at such 
     time, in such manner, and containing such information as the 
     State educational agency shall require. The application shall 
     contain--
       ``(1) a needs assessment relating to need for school 
     library media improvement, based on the age and condition of 
     school library media resources (including book collections), 
     access of school library media centers to advanced 
     technology, including Internet connections, and the 
     availability of well-trained, professionally certified school 
     library media specialists, in schools served by the local 
     educational agency;
       ``(2) a description of the manner in which the local 
     educational agency will use the needs assessment to assist 
     schools with the greatest need for school library media 
     improvement;
       ``(3) a description of the manner in which the local 
     educational agency will use the funds provided through the 
     allocation to carry out the activities described in section 
     2356;
       ``(4) a description of the manner in which the local 
     educational agency will develop and carry out the activities 
     described in section 2356 with the extensive participation of 
     school library media specialists, elementary school and 
     secondary school teachers and administrators, and parents;
       ``(5) a description of the manner in which the local 
     educational agency will effectively coordinate--
       ``(A) funds provided under this subpart with the Federal, 
     State, and local funds received by the agency for literacy, 
     library, technology, and professional development activities; 
     and
       ``(B) activities carried out under this subpart with the 
     Federal, State, and local library, technology, and 
     professional development activities carried out by the local 
     educational agency; and
       ``(6) a description of the manner in which the local 
     educational agency will collect and analyze data on the 
     quality and impact of activities carried out under this 
     subpart by schools served by the local educational agency.

     ``SEC. 2356. LOCAL ACTIVITIES.

       ``A local educational agency that receives a local 
     allocation under section 2354 may use the funds made 
     available through the allocation--
       ``(1) to acquire up-to-date school library media resources, 
     including books;
       ``(2) to acquire and utilize advanced technology, 
     incorporated into the curricula of the schools, to develop 
     and enhance the information literacy, information retrieval, 
     and critical thinking skills of students;
       ``(3) to acquire and utilize advanced technology, including 
     Internet links, to facilitate resource-sharing among schools 
     and school library media centers, and public and academic 
     libraries, where possible;
       ``(4) to provide professional development opportunities for 
     school library media specialists; and
       ``(5) to foster increased collaboration between school 
     library media specialists and elementary school and secondary 
     school teachers and administrators.

     ``SEC. 2357. ACCOUNTABILITY AND CONTINUATION OF FUNDS.

       ``Each local educational agency that receives funding under 
     this subpart for a fiscal year shall be eligible to continue 
     to receive the funding--
       ``(1) for each of the 2 following fiscal years; and
       ``(2) for each fiscal year subsequent to the 2 following 
     fiscal years, if the local educational agency demonstrates 
     that the agency has increased--
       ``(A) the availability of, and the access of students, 
     school library media specialists, and elementary school and 
     secondary school teachers to, up-to-date school library media 
     resources, including books and advanced technology, in 
     elementary schools and secondary schools served by the local 
     educational agency;
       ``(B) the number of well-trained, professionally certified 
     school library media specialists in those schools; and
       ``(C) collaboration between school library media 
     specialists and elementary school and secondary school 
     teachers and administrators for those schools.

     ``SEC. 2358. SUPPLEMENT NOT SUPPLANT.

       ``Funds made available under this subpart shall be used to 
     supplement and not supplant other Federal, State, and local 
     funds expended to carry out activities relating to library, 
     technology, or professional development activities.

     ``SEC. 2359. NATIONAL ACTIVITIES.

       ``The Secretary shall reserve not more than 3 percent of 
     the amount appropriated under section 2360 for a fiscal 
     year--
       ``(1) for an annual, independent, national evaluation of 
     the activities assisted under this subpart, to be conducted 
     not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this 
     subpart; and
       ``(2) to broadly disseminate information to help States, 
     local educational agencies, school library media specialists, 
     and elementary school and secondary school teachers and 
     administrators learn about effective school library media 
     programs.

     ``SEC. 2360. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       ``There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this 
     subpart $475,000,000 for fiscal year 2002 and such sums as 
     may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2003 through 2006.

               ``Subpart 2--School Library Access Program

     ``SEC. 2361. PROGRAM.

       ``(a) In General.--The Secretary may make grants to local 
     educational agencies to provide students with access to 
     libraries in elementary schools and secondary schools during 
     non-school hours, including the hours before and after 
     school, weekends, and summer vacation periods.
       ``(b) Applications.--To be eligible to receive a grant 
     under subsection (a), a local educational agency shall submit 
     an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, 
     and containing such information as the Secretary may require.
       ``(c) Priority.--In making grants under subsection (a), the 
     Secretary shall give priority to local educational agencies 
     that demonstrate, in applications submitted under subsection 
     (b), that the agencies--
       ``(1) seek to provide activities that will increase 
     literacy skills and student achievement;
       ``(2) have effectively coordinated services and funding 
     with entities involved in other Federal, State, and local 
     efforts, to provide programs and activities for students 
     during the non-school hours described in subsection (a); and
       ``(3) have a high level of community support.
       ``(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are 
     authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subpart 
     $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2002 and such sums as may be 
     necessary for each of fiscal years 2003 through 2006.''.
                                  ____



                                 American Library Association,

                                Washington, DC, February 13, 2001.
     Hon. Jack Reed,
     U.S. Senate,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator Reed: I would like to take this opportunity to 
     thank you and Senator Thad Cochran for your bi-partisan 
     support of school libraries as you introduce the Improving 
     Literacy Through School Libraries Act of 2001. This bill 
     would provide assistance to the nation's school libraries and 
     school library media specialists at a time when they are 
     laboring mightily to cope with the challenges of increasing 
     school enrollment, new technology and the lack of funding for 
     school library resources.
       As an academic librarian in New York, I know personally how 
     this legislation will contribute to effective learning by our 
     school children. Many of the nation's school

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     libraries have collections that are old, inaccurate and out 
     of date. How can we encourage children to read, continue 
     their education in college and become life-long learners if 
     the material we have available for them is inadequate?
       Your legislation proposes to upgrade collections, encourage 
     and train school librarians, and effect greater cooperation 
     between school professionals directly involved teaching 
     children--school library media specialists, teachers and 
     administrators. This critical legislation should be included 
     in the reauthorization process now going forward in the 
     Senate. The school children of today deserve the best 
     resources we have to give them.
       On behalf of the 61,000 school, public, academic and 
     special librarians, library trustees, friends of libraries 
     and library supporters, I thank you for your effort to 
     improve the resources in school libraries. We offer the 
     support of our members in working towards passage of the 
     legislation.
           Sincerely,
                                                 Nancy C. Kranich,
                                                        President.
                                 ______