[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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