Hawaii House Bill HR168

Hawaii 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/8/24
• Refer: 3/14/24
• Report Pass: 3/25/24
• Report Pass: 4/4/24
• Refer: 3/25/24
• Passed: 4/4/24

Caption

Urging The Department Of Education To Ensure That School Libraries And School Library Media Centers Are Staffed With Licensed School Librarians And Licensed School Library Media Specialists.

Impact

The bill emphasizes that schools with strong library programs, supported by licensed librarians, provide students with better educational outcomes. Research shows that effective library programs lead to enhanced academic performance, with the resolution calling for structured collection development plans to manage relevant and diverse resources. Furthermore, the resolution mandates that libraries should offer technology and internet access, which are crucial for modern educational environments. This addresses the need for libraries to not only house books but also facilitate learning through digital means.

Summary

House Bill HR168, introduced in the Thirty-Second Legislature of Hawaii, is a resolution urging the Department of Education to ensure that school libraries and school library media centers are staffed with licensed school librarians and licensed school library media specialists. This bill highlights the importance of having well-staffed libraries as a fundamental aspect of fostering student learning and personal growth. It underscores the fact that equitable access to educational resources is essential for academic achievement and promotes the notion that well-managed school libraries can significantly contribute to students' academic performance.

Contention

While there are no explicit points of contention noted in the legislation text, the push for licensed librarians implies a standard that may challenge existing practices in some schools. The resolution seeks to centralize the staffing of libraries, which could be met with pushback from schools that may have varying staffing models. Ensuring all school libraries are equipped and staffed as proposed may require additional funding and resources, possibly leading to debates over educational budget allocations and priorities in the state.

Additional_notes

The bill calls for specific actions from the Department of Education to guarantee that libraries not only have appropriate staffing but also that physical spaces are conducive to student learning and support diverse interests. The end goal of HR168 is to create an environment that empowers students through access to resources that enhance their academic skills and personal development.