SENATE MEMORIAL 39

53rd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2018

INTRODUCED BY

William P. Soules

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE PUBLIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TO ASSIST THE NEW MEXICO LIBRARY ASSOCIATION AND THE LIBRARIES TRANSFORM NEW MEXICO STEERING COMMITTEE TO UNDERTAKE A JOINT COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF SCHOOL LIBRARIES AND SCHOOL LIBRARIANS IN STATE PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS TO DETERMINE RESOURCES AND NEEDS FOR THE OPERATION OF SCHOOL LIBRARIES.

     WHEREAS, numerous studies show that effective school libraries with highly qualified teacher librarians improve student academic achievement; and

     WHEREAS, many teacher librarian positions across New Mexico are left vacant or have been eliminated; and

     WHEREAS, many schools, especially charter schools, do not have functioning libraries; and

     WHEREAS, the 2016 New Mexico libraries assessment conducted by the New Mexico library foundation indicated a shortage of school libraries in the state; and

     WHEREAS, digital media literacy, a component of the school library curriculum, is an urgently needed skill for all students; and

     WHEREAS, public school teacher librarians have been providing digital media literacy from the beginning of the internet era; and

     WHEREAS, the last study on the impact of school libraries on student academic achievement in New Mexico was done in 2002;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the public education department be requested to assist the New Mexico library association and the libraries transform New Mexico steering committee to undertake a joint comprehensive assessment of school libraries and school librarians in state public schools and public charter schools to determine resources and needs for the operation of school libraries; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the public education department be requested to present its findings from and recommendations in response to the comprehensive assessment to the legislative education study committee by October 1, 2018; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of public education, the president of the New Mexico library association, the chair of the libraries transform New Mexico steering committee and the chair of the legislative education study committee.

- 3 -