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As required by House Bill 900, 88th R.S. (2023), the Texas State Library and Archives Commission has adopted new mandatory collection development standards for school libraries. The information on this page relates only to TSLAC's review of the Voluntary School Library Standards adopted by the agency in 2018.
Targeted Review of the School Library Standards
Background
The Texas State Library and Archives Commission is required to develop voluntary standards for public school libraries. Texas Education Code §33.021 specifies that the Commission, “in consultation with the State Board of Education, shall adopt standards for school library services. A school district shall consider the standards in developing, implementing, or expanding library services.” These school library standards were adopted in 2004 at 13 Texas Administrative Code §4.1.
At its February 8, 2022, meeting, the Commission directed staff to develop a framework for undertaking a targeted review and possible update to the school library standards, focusing on adding guidance in collections management. The agency, working in collaboration with the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and the State Board of Education (SBOE), established a workgroup in the spring of 2022 to review collections management functions and to propose potential updates and/or additions in this area. The workgroup is continuing its work and expects to propose recommendations in the spring of 2023.
Resources
Parent and Community Survey
From October 18 to November 4, 2022, the Texas State Library and Archives Commission deployed a public survey to gather information from parents and community members regarding school library programs. Specifically, the survey sought information on what types of information about school libraries parents and community members want to know and how they wish to receive and provide information.
A workgroup established by TSLAC developed the survey to support its efforts to review and make recommendations for updates to the current school library standards. This review process is targeted to recommendations for local collections management.
Links:
Survey Instrument and Responses
Parent and Community Survey Overview
Parent Community School Libraries FY23 Report Communication Preferences
Parent Community School Libraries FY23 Report Comments
Parent and Community School Libraries FY23 Report Questions