[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 55 (Thursday, March 29, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S4213]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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 SENATE RESOLUTION 134--DESIGNATING SEPTEMBER 2007 AS ``ADOPT A SCHOOL 
                            LIBRARY MONTH''

  Mr. DURBIN (for himself and Mr. Coleman) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 134

       Whereas extensive research has demonstrated a link between 
     high-quality school libraries and student achievement in the 
     classroom and on standardized tests, regardless of the level 
     of poverty or family instability experienced by the student;
       Whereas 37 percent of all fourth grade children in the 
     United States are reading at below-basic reading levels;
       Whereas the school libraries of the United States are 
     valuable tools that could be used to inspire and enhance 
     literacy for all children;
       Whereas, to become a lifelong reader, a student must be 
     exposed to adults who read regularly and serve as positive 
     reading role models;
       Whereas school librarians are--
       (1) instrumental in helping teachers educate the students 
     of the United States; and
       (2) through the use of books, computer resources, and other 
     resources, a necessary component for expanding the curriculum 
     of the public schools of the United States;
       Whereas the school libraries of the United States are used 
     as media centers to provide students with opportunities to 
     interact with computers and other electronic information 
     resources;
       Whereas the use of school library computers helps students 
     develop media and technological skills, including--
       (1) critical thinking;
       (2) communication competency; and
       (3) the ethical and appropriate use of technology 
     information access, retrieval, and production;
       Whereas the school libraries of the United States serve as 
     a gathering place for students of all ages, backgrounds, and 
     interests to come together to debate ideas;
       Whereas only approximately $1,000,000,000 is allocated to 
     school libraries each year, which translates to $0.54 per 
     student; and
       Whereas numerous programs, including the READesign program 
     of the Heart of America Foundation, are working to 
     reestablish school libraries as the hearts of the public 
     schools of the United States by--
       (1) offering intensive care for school libraries though 
     efforts designed--
          (A) to redecorate school libraries;
          (B) to revitalize technology available to school 
     libraries; and
          (C) to replenish the book shelves of school libraries; 
     and
       (2) renewing community support and interest for--
          (A) enriching the lives of children; and
          (B) helping students regain lost opportunities for 
     learning: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates September 2007 as ``Adopt a School Library 
     Month'' to raise public awareness about the important role 
     school libraries play in the academic achievement of 
     children; and
       (2) calls on the Federal Government, States, local 
     governments, schools, nonprofit organizations, businesses, 
     and the people of the United States to observe the month with 
     appropriate ceremonies, programs, and other activities.

  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, When I was growing up in East St. Louis, I 
spent hours reading about faraway places, exciting adventures, and 
historic figures and events. I spent countless hours in the library 
discovering wonderful stories and developed a lifelong love of reading.
  Now imagine going to school where the library is dark and uninviting, 
and where there is no librarian in sight. These conditions are real. I 
have visited schools in my home State of Illinois and seen libraries 
that show their years of neglect.
  The dire circumstances that face some of these school libraries are 
not due to lack of concern by school officials. School leaders are 
working with limited budgets and unforgiving performance standards. 
School libraries were once one of the central features of our school, 
but are now one of the first programs to be cut.
  In Cairo, IL, there is no money available for new books. The 
superintendent told me that his school libraries would have no books at 
all if it were not for the donations from the local community. In 
Collinsville, school libraries had science books so outdated they were 
published before man landed on the moon. We cannot expect our students 
to compete in today's global economy unless we provide them with the 
tools that they need to succeed.
  Many studies have demonstrated the strong link between high-quality 
school libraries and student achievement, both in the classroom and on 
standardized tests. School libraries benefit all students, regardless 
of race, class, or family situation. According to a study by the 
Illinois School Library Media Association, students average 5 percent 
to 13 percent higher on their reading and writing test scores when 
their libraries are well-funded. Students in schools with more current 
collections in their libraries scored 7 percent to 13 percent higher in 
reading and writing in lower grades and 3 percent higher on college 
entrance exams. In Illinois, additional computers in school libraries 
led to an 8-percent increase in the reading performance of fifth to 
eighth graders, and to an 11-percent increase in the writing scores for 
eighth graders. The data is consistent and clear: All of our children 
are more likely to succeed when their school possesses a high-quality 
school library.
  Many groups recognize the importance of school libraries and are 
doing something about it. In particular, I commend the Heart of America 
Foundation, which is focused on improving some of the Nation's most 
needy school libraries. In impoverished communities where many 
libraries have one book or less per student, Heart of America tries to 
bring the collections of these libraries up to at least the national 
average of 22 books per student. Its READesign program offers intensive 
care for school libraries through renovation, revitalizing technology, 
and replenishing book shelves. Heart of America makes READesigns a 
community effort by bringing together individuals, corporate sponsors, 
and community groups to provide schools with ``library makeovers.'' The 
transformation of these school libraries is truly extraordinary. It 
goes beyond simply painting and restocking the bookshelves. After a 
READesign, a school library once again becomes a welcoming and vibrant 
center of learning, books, and technology.
  I am confident that others will be as inspired by the READesign 
program and the potential of our school libraries as I am. In 
designating September 2007 as ``Adopt a School Library Month,'' it is 
my hope that individuals will remember the importance of school 
libraries in facilitating the academic achievement of our children and 
support needy school libraries in their respective communities.

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