[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 15 (Thursday, January 29, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Page S656]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. REED (for himself, Mr. Cochran, and Mr. Whitehouse):
  S. 312. A bill to amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
1965 regarding school libraries, and for other purposes; to the 
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
  Mr. REED. Mr. President, today I join with my colleagues Senators 
Cochran and Whitehouse in introducing the Strengthening Kids' Interest 
in Learning and Libraries, SKILLS, Act.
  Fifty years ago, when President Johnson urged Congress to enact what 
would become the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, he 
specifically called for an investment in school libraries, decrying 
that school libraries were ``limping along.'' Results from a recent 
National Center for Education Statistics survey show that there are 
still gaps in access to school libraries. Approximately 8,800 schools 
did not report having a library media center, and only about \2/3\ of 
the traditional public schools that did have libraries reported having 
a full-time, certified librarian. One in five traditional public 
schools reported having no paid, State certified library staff at all.
  Effective school library programs are essential supports for 
educational success. Multiple education and library studies have 
produced clear evidence that school libraries staffed by qualified 
librarians have a positive impact on student academic achievement. 
Knowing how to find and use information are essential skills for 
college, careers, and life in general. A good school library, staffed 
by a trained school librarian, is where students develop and hone these 
skills.
  Our bipartisan legislation would reauthorize and strengthen the 
Improving Literacy through School Libraries program of the Elementary 
and Secondary Education Act, the only federal initiative explicitly 
dedicated to supporting and enhancing our nation's school libraries. 
The key improvements to the program include ensuring that elementary, 
middle, and high school students are served; expanding professional 
development to include digital literacy instruction and reading and 
writing instruction across all grade levels; focusing on coordination 
and shared planning time between teachers and librarians; and ensuring 
that books and materials are appropriate for and gain the interest of 
students with special learning needs, including English learners.
  The SKILLS Act would also strengthen Title I by requiring State and 
school district plans to address the development of effective school 
library programs to help students gain digital literacy skills, master 
the knowledge and skills in the challenging academic content standards 
adopted by the State, and graduate from high school ready for college 
and careers. Additionally, the legislation would broaden the focus of 
training, professional development, and recruitment activities under 
Title II to include school librarians.
  Absent a clear Federal investment, the libraries in many of our high 
poverty schools will languish with outdated materials and technology or 
cease to exist at all, and in turn, students will be cut off from a 
vital information hub that connects them to the tools they need to 
develop critical thinking and research skills necessary for success. 
This is a true equity issue, which is why I will continue to fight to 
sustain our Federal investment in this area and why renewing and 
strengthening the school library program is of critical importance.
  I urge our colleagues to join us in cosponsoring the bipartisan 
Strengthening Kids' Interest in Learning and Libraries Act, and to work 
together to ensure that it becomes a part of the upcoming 
reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.
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