School Library and Information Technology Programs.  School library and information technology programs are defined in Washington law as school-based programs staffed by a certificated teacher-librarian that provide a broad, flexible array of services, resources, and instruction that support student mastery of state standards in all subject areas and the implementation of the district's school improvement plan. 
 
Every board of directors is required to provide resources and materials for the operation of school library information, and technology programs, as the board deems necessary, for the proper education of the district's students, or as other required by law or rule of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.
 
Teacher-librarians are required to collaborate as instructional partners with content goals in all subject areas and to assist high school students with high school and beyond plans required for graduation.  Other duties may include, but are not limited to:

• integrating information and technology into curriculum and instruction;
• providing information management instruction to students and staff;
• helping teachers and students efficiently and effectively access the highest quality information available while using information ethically;
• instructing students in critical information consumption; and
• creating a culture of reading in the school community by developing a diverse, student-focused collection of materials and by facilitating school-wide reading initiatives along with providing individual support and guidance for students.

By September 1, 2024, each school district must adopt or amend:

• a policy that acknowledges the requirement for boards of directors to provide every student with access to school library information and technology programs; and
• procedures that describe how students can access school library information, and technology resources and materials.

 
Every board of directors must provide resources and materials for the operation of a school library information and technology program ensuring every student in the school district has access to a school library information and technology program.
 

A school district that has a student enrollment of less than 2000 pupils may staff a school library information and technology program with a noncertificated staff member if the district has made all reasonable efforts to staff the program with a certificated teacher-librarian.  In such a circumstance, a school district is authorized and encouraged to partner with a nonprofit or government entity to provide staffing services including, but not limited to, a library or regional library, or an institution of higher education.

The Superintendent of Public Instruction will provide data, information, best practices, and other assistance to help facilitate school district implementation of this act.

• Allows a school district that has a student enrollment of less than 2000 pupils to staff a school library information and technology program with a noncertificated staff member if the district has made all reasonable efforts to staff the program with a certificated teacher-librarian.
• Authorizes and encourages a school district in those instances to partner with a nonprofit or government entity to provide staffing services, including, but not limited to, a library or regional library, or an institution of higher education.

The committee recommended a different version of the bill than what was heard.  PRO: The teacher-librarian is a navigator of technology for students and staff.  This bill says that every school should have a library program.  Schools are not providing all students with library programs.  Librarians teach how to learn and how to discover.  Many school districts do not have a library program due to the current language in statute.  Not every community has implemented a program, often due to differences in resources.
 
CON: The bill would require a certified teacher-librarian without properly funding the position.  Rural school districts have issues with finding certified teachers in specific areas.
 
OTHER: Not every community will be able to administer a program off of the current allocation amounts.

PRO: This bill already exists in statute but is not being utilized. Many schools do not have teacher librarians, and this bill will provide means for the schools to acquire them. It is important to have someone who is trained to integrate library and technology information into students’ curriculum. Depending on the school district, students currently have radically different access to knowledge about technology and library programs. This will be a lifechanging resource for students at small schools that haven’t been able to afford teacher librarians. The proposed amendment should be passed.
 
CON: This will impose a one size fits all approach that will lead to many employees being displaced. School libraries have many staffing structures that can provide outstanding instruction and technical support to students. The state should instead take a comprehensive approach that recognizes multiple tiers of library staffing supports.
 
OTHER: There are concerns about implementation. This bill requires school districts to prioritize one area of student learning over others. The current model does not provide sufficient funding.