SENATE BILL REPORT

SSB 6764

BYSenate Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Senators Rinehart, Bailey and Fleming)

Creating the learn-in-libraries program.

Senate Committee on Education

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 1, 1990; February 2, 1990

Majority Report:     That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6764 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

     Signed by Senators Bailey, Chairman; Lee, Vice Chairman; Benitz, Fleming, Gaspard, Murray, Rinehart.

Senate Staff:Leslie Goldstein (786-7424)

                March 3, 1990

House Committe on State Government

Rereferred House Committee on Appropriations

AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 9, 1990

BACKGROUND:

Using community resources to provide services for students after school, and encouraging community involvement at school sites are suggestions for improving the education system.  Community involvement models that have been tried in some communities include using volunteer tutors after school in libraries and having public employees volunteer in schools.  Adults have also served as mentors by volunteering to share specific skills such as athletic skills.

SUMMARY:

The Learn-in-Libraries Program is created to provide grants to local libraries through the State Library Commission to develop and implement after school programs for children to improve literacy skills, encourage reading, and provide homework assistance.  Grant applicants are encouraged to develop programs that use older adult volunteers.  The State Library Commission reports to the Legislature on the results of the program.

This bill is contingent upon funding being available in the budget.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:   none

Fiscal Note:    available

Senate Committee - Testified:   PRO:  Liz Stroup, Seattle Public Library; Mark Allen, Washington Library Association; Hans M. Rasmussen, Generations United-Kent Valley Services; Bob Schabot, WA State PTA: Evelyn Chapman, City of Seattle

HOUSE AMENDMENT:

The amendment provides certain requirements for the program.  The grant application shall provide for:  1) participation of volunteers in the design of the program; 2) use of volunteers, especially older volunteers and other community volunteer resources to provide services; 3) strategies to improve reading skills, encourage reading and provide homework assistance.  The programs shall be designed to serve school age children who would otherwise be unsupervised.

Single grants are limited to $25,000.

Administrative costs of the State Library Commission are limited to 10 percent or $50,000.