Education (Libraries)

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6194: Relates to providing access to laptops for high school and higher education students and textbooks for higher education students

Relates to providing access to laptops for high school and higher education students and textbooks for higher education students; provides access to laptops and textbooks without charge.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides free laptops and textbooks for students, directly expanding educational access and resources without cost, aligning with support indicators for enhancing student access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education Libraries

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jun 13, 2025

A 7777: Enacts the freedom to read act

Enacts the "freedom to read act"; requires the commissioner of education and school library systems to develop policies to ensure that school libraries and library staff are empowered to curate and develop collections that provide students with access to the widest array of developmentally appropriate materials available.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates policies ensuring school libraries provide diverse, developmentally appropriate materials, protecting academic freedom and expanding educational access per its 'freedom to read' focus.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Libraries

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4478: Relates to library cards for minors

This bill requires schools to add a checkbox on student registration forms, allowing parents to authorize library cards for their minor children during enrollment. The state education board must create a system to process these requests through the school forms. It directly affects parents, public libraries, and schools by integrating library access into the standard registration process. The law takes effect 120 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands educational access by integrating library card authorization into school registration, facilitating student access to library resources.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Libraries

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6418: Relates to providing access to laptops for high school and higher education students and textbooks for higher education students

Relates to providing access to laptops for high school and higher education students and textbooks for higher education students; provides access to laptops and textbooks without charge.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides free laptops for high school/higher ed students and textbooks for higher ed, directly expanding educational access and resource availability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Libraries

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7579: Addresses the elementary literacy gap by empowering student and parental engagement with an evidence-based home reading program

Provides grants to nonprofit organizations that provide eligible home reading programs that provide independent reading level books that are individually mailed to the residences of kindergarten through fifth grade students on a weekly basis.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides grants for K-5 home reading program targeting literacy gap, directly funding student educational access through evidence-based reading materials.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Libraries

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5107: Addresses the elementary literacy gap by empowering student and parental engagement with an evidence-based home reading program

Provides grants to nonprofit organizations that provide eligible home reading programs that provide independent reading level books that are individually mailed to the residences of kindergarten through fifth grade students on a weekly basis.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides grants for evidence-based home reading programs targeting K-5 literacy, directly funding student engagement and program enhancement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Libraries

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5211: Relates to librarians of school libraries; repealer

This bill (A 5211) requires all New York school districts to employ certified school library media specialists in every elementary and secondary school based on student enrollment size. For example, schools with 100-300 students must have 0.3 full-time equivalent librarians, while schools over 2,000 students need two full-time librarians plus one additional for every 1,000 more students. It also mandates library clerks in schools with at least 1,000 students (one clerk per 1,000 students). School districts may request a one-year waiver for up to two years total if they demonstrate a shortage of certified librarians and made hiring offers, but waivers cannot exceed two years in a five-year period. The law applies to all public elementary and secondary schools statewide.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates certified librarians and clerks based on enrollment, strengthening school library resources and access per K-12 education standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Libraries Student Health

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5821: Relates to media literacy education

Enacts the "media literacy act"; requires teachers and library media specialists to complete professional development related to media literacy education; requires a school library media specialist in each elementary, intermediate, middle, junior high and senior high school; directs the commissioner of education to appoint a media literacy advisory committee to study the teaching of media literacy; creates a media literacy advisory committee to annually review policy and procedures on media literacy.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires media literacy professional development for educators and mandates library media specialists in all K-12 schools, directly enhancing curriculum and teacher support in education.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Libraries

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7522: Requires librarians for schools in New York city

Bill S 7522 mandates that every elementary, middle, and high school in New York City must employ a school librarian. This bill amends existing education law, which currently allows school districts to decide whether to hire a librarian and assigns the role to other teachers if no librarian is present. The change ensures that all K-12 public schools within New York City will have a dedicated school librarian.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates dedicated librarians in all NYC K-12 schools, strengthening curriculum support and educational resources per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Libraries Student Health

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passed · New York · Senate May 28, 2026

S 8288: Provides for the use of rooms within a public school at a reasonable rate

This bill amends education law to require public school boards to set reasonable rental rates for non-school uses of school rooms (e.g., community groups, after-school programs), ensuring rates cover actual operational costs. It prohibits excluding district children from these spaces solely because they don’t attend the specific school hosting the activity. The law applies to all public school rooms used for community purposes, clarifying that attendance at the hosting school cannot be a barrier. School boards must establish these terms under the revised legal framework.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill ensures equitable access to school facilities for community programs, preventing exclusion of district children based on school attendance, directly advancing educational access and community engagement in K-12 settings.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Libraries

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