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Regular Session, 2013
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 69
BY REPRESENTATIVE NORTON
BESE: Requests that the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education reconsider
proposed policy changes relative to school libraries
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To urge and request the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to reconsider2
proposed policy changes relative to school libraries.3
WHEREAS, as stated in the Constitution of Louisiana, the goal of the public4
educational system is to provide learning environments and experiences, at all stages of5
human development, that are humane, just, and designed to promote excellence in order that6
every individual may be afforded an equal opportunity to develop to his full potential; and7
WHEREAS, the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education has proposed8
revisions to Section 1705 of Bulletin 741, The Louisiana Handbook for School9
Administrators, that, if implemented, will eliminate crucial requirements pertaining to the10
purpose, philosophy, and staffing of school libraries; and11
WHEREAS, without these requirements in place, schools will face the possibility of12
losing library staff, materials, facilities, and funding, which would be devastating to the13
students and schools of the state; and14
WHEREAS, if these proposed changes are implemented, among the eliminated15
policies would be those that require that each school have library or media services16
appropriate to the instructional levels and exceptionalities of its students and that the use of17
funds for library services for exceptional students be at least proportionate to that expended18
for regular students; and19
WHEREAS, additionally, while the policy as proposed would retain the requirement20
that each secondary school have a library and a certain number of librarians based on the size21 HLS 13RS-1291 ORIGINAL
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of the student population, it provides that this requirement would "not apply to schools1
capable of providing resources and assistance to students through an alternate structure",2
which some may interpret as a loophole that allows secondary schools the option of not3
having a library or any librarians at all; and4
WHEREAS, school librarians play an indispensable role in schools throughout the5
state by providing vital educational services to students at every grade level that equip them6
to succeed in the twenty-first century learning environment; and7
WHEREAS, school librarians design and carefully curate well-rounded collections8
of print and nonprint materials that are tailored specifically to support each school's9
curriculum, and they provide expert instruction to students on effectively accessing,10
evaluating, and utilizing information technologies for educational purposes; and11
WHEREAS, school librarians cultivate learning opportunities that enable students12
to become proficient in their pursuit of information and educate students in terms of13
developing critical-thinking and problem-solving skills that are essential for college and14
career readiness and for citizenship and life; and15
WHEREAS, beyond their key curricular role, school libraries give each member of16
a school's learning community a venue for fostering lifelong learning and literacy; and17
WHEREAS, ultimately, it is in a library, more so than in a classroom, where a child18
learns to seek an answer to his or her own question–a skill that transcends the formal19
education environment and serves the individual throughout his or her life, and an education20
that does not nurture this skill is not a complete education; and21
WHEREAS, all students need and deserve quality school libraries run by qualified22
school librarians, and students who have access to school libraries that are well staffed and23
well stocked are more likely to succeed in school and in life; and24
WHEREAS, it is critical that the State Board of Elementary and Secondary25
Education reconsider the proposed revisions to policy pertaining to school libraries lest it26
should fail to fulfill the state's constitutional duty of affording every student an equal27
opportunity to develop to his full potential.28
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby29
urge and request the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to reconsider30 HLS 13RS-1291 ORIGINAL
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proposed changes to The Louisiana Handbook for School Administrators relative to school1
libraries.2
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the3
president of the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, the state4
superintendent of education, and the state librarian of Louisiana.5
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Norton HCR No. 69
Requests that the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education reconsider proposed
changes to The Louisiana Handbook for School Administrators relative to school libraries.