TEXAS (School Library Standards)

[Jeanette Carolyn Larson <jlarson@TENET.EDU>]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jeanette Larson
512-463-5456
jlarson@tenet.edu


STATE LIBRARY EMBARKS ON PLANNING EFFORT
TO CREATE NEW STANDARDS FOR K-12 LIBRARIES

Austin -- As part of its new legislative mandate to set standards for school
library media centers, the Texas State Library and Archives Commission has
begun an 18-month process of planning and public input. Librarians,
educators, administrators and parents are invited to help the State Library
devise the best means to promote excellence in library services for young
learners.

Formerly, standards for school library media centers were set by the Texas
Education Agency. With the last session's amendments to the Education Code,
this responsibility was transferred to the State Library and Archives
Commission, in consultation with the State Board of Education. School
districts are mandated to "consider the standards in developing, implementing
or expanding library services."

The old standards -- which will remain in effect until new ones are adopted
-- concern themselves with staff requirements, which vary depending on a
district's size; facilities and hours; minimum size of the collection; and
services provided by the library media center to staff and students. While
the new standards will likely address some of these same factors, they may
also include others.

The State Library's timeline for the School Library Standards project
features focus group meetings and open forums in each of the state's 20
Educational Service Center (ESC) areas, with ample opportunities for public
input. The structure of the new standards should be in place by Summer 1996;
following additional revision and review, the final draft will be presented
to the Commission in March 1997.

To assist in the development and implementation of these standards, Director
and Librarian Robert S. Martin will appoint an advisory committee, composed
of representatives from various stakeholder groups, to work with the State
Library. The Texas Library Association has also appointed an ad hoc committee
to assist in the project, chaired by Mary Lankford, instructional media
coordinator for the Irving ISD.

Anyone interested in contributing their input to the School Library Standards
project is encouraged to summarize their views in writing and forward them to
Jeanette Larson at the Texas State Library, Post Office Box 12927, Austin TX
78711-2927; via FAX at 512-463-5436; or via e-mail to jlarson@tenet.edu.

The Texas State Library and Archives Commission works to improve the quality
and availability of library and information services for all Texans. Its
programs include the State Archives and State Library collections;
talking-book services for Texans with disabilities; electronic library
services; records management assistance for state and local governments; and
statewide training, programming and financial support for public libraries.
The State Library is governed by the six-member appointed Library and
Archives Commission.