Requires the state librarian to provide guidance on the curation of library material to all school library systems.
Summary
A07568 would require the state librarian, within 12 months after the law takes effect, to issue guidance to every school library system in New York on how to curate library materials. The guidance must address collection standards that provide students with a wide range of viewpoints, ensure materials are selected for interest, information, and enlightenment, and protect against removal of books based on the origin, background, or views of the work or its creators. It also directs the guidance to include standards prohibiting censorship and to ensure students have access to developmentally appropriate materials for their age and grade levels.
The bill also requires professional standards for regular review and deaccessioning of library materials, including consideration of relevance, condition, duplicates, newer age-appropriate materials, and continued demand. In addition, the state librarian must maintain and publish a list of school library systems whose policies meet the minimum standards in the guidance. The act would take effect immediately, but the guidance requirement is delayed for 12 months after enactment.
Impact
The bill would amend the New York Education Law by adding a new section 282-a governing school library curation guidance. It would create a statewide framework for school library systems, effectively setting minimum standards for collection development, review, and removal of library materials, while leaving day-to-day policy adoption to local systems. It also adds an administrative reporting function for the Department of Education by requiring publication of compliant school library systems on its website.
Sentiment
The available voting history suggests generally favorable support in committee, with the Assembly Libraries and Education Technology Committee advancing the bill 7-2 to Ways and Means. The bill’s structure and language indicate support for access to diverse materials and opposition to censorship, which aligns with a pro-library and pro-access policy approach. No transcript discussion is available, but the committee vote indicates the measure was able to move forward despite some opposition.
Contention
The main points of contention are likely to center on censorship, book removal, and the extent of state involvement in local school library decisions. Supporters would favor the bill’s protections for diverse viewpoints and limits on removing materials based on authorship or origin, while opponents may view the guidance as constraining local control or as an indirect restriction on school-level decisions about age appropriateness and collection management. The 7-2 committee vote suggests there was some disagreement, but the specific objections are not documented in the available materials.