This study is limited strictly to a consideration of express legislation; and administrative regulations or practice have been excluded from its scope, except in a few cases where their inclusion as a note has been necessary for clarification of a point. Moreover, no attempt has been made to evaluate the laws affecting libraries, but to present them as found in the statuses. The purpose of this study is to aid school boards, administrators, teachers, librarians, and planning boards who may wish to know what specific legislation affecting school libraries is in force, which States have enacted it, and what are the main points covered by the laws. What are the legal specifications regarding the establishment of school libraries? What legal provisions are in force regarding financial support, certification of librarians, approval of books, and the relationships with other agencies? These are some of the questions, frequently asked of the United States Office of Education, which this bulletin may help to answer. For the study, the sources of data have been the consolidated statutes of the various States, the session laws, the school laws, reports and other publications of State departments of education, and correspondence with State school officials. This bulletin is in two parts: The first part consists of summary tables which show the express legal provisions affecting school libraries and also the States in which they are in effect. Part II contains the digests for each State as verified by the State officers. In using these digests, it is well to remember that school library legislation must be considered in the light of laws affecting the whole school program. Individual sections contain footnotes. (Contains 7 tables.) [Best copy available has been provided.].

Provides vision for strong school library programs, including identification of the skills and knowledge essential for students to be information literate. Includes recommended baseline staffing, access, and resources for school library services at each grade level.