READ FIRST TIME 02/08/08.   

     AN ACT Relating to enhancing school library programs; and creating new sections.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature recognizes the important role that librarians and library programs play in contributing to the goals of education reform that were begun in 1993. Education reform is based on the premise that every Washington student be provided the opportunity to access an educational program that will give him or her the fundamental tools necessary to compete in whatever career path he or she chooses beyond high school and be successful.
     The legislature further recognizes that school libraries and school library media programs are critical components of those educational programs. Students in all schools, regardless of size, should have access to these instructional resources and services in order to fully benefit from their classroom instruction. While the legislature created the basic education finance task force last year to develop recommendations for how to fund core educational services, the legislature finds that, as school districts across the state continue to cut library services, there is a heightened sense of urgency for a short-term bridge of funding to enable districts to maintain critical instructional resources.
     It is therefore the intent of the legislature to provide additional funding in the 2008 legislative session to help school districts keep their library doors open and accessible for their students while also encouraging the basic education finance task force to consider the crucial role of highly qualified certificated staff in its deliberations over how to fund the K-12 educational system and ultimately achieve the goals of education reform.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   (1) The funding provided by this section shall be used to augment current funding for librarian programs provided through basic education and other existing funding mechanisms. In order to receive allocations under this section, school districts must agree that to the maximum extent possible they will ensure that library programs and services are equitably provided throughout the district. School districts shall not use any funds received under this section to supplant any existing state, federal, or local funding used for library staff or programs.
     (2) For the 2008-09 school year, every school district shall receive an allocation of twelve dollars per full-time equivalent student to maintain and improve library materials, collections, and services.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   If specific funding for the purposes of this act, referencing this act by bill or chapter number, is not provided by June 30, 2008, in the omnibus appropriations act, this act is null and void.