DE HCR40

Requests the Secretary of State to expand the Delaware Library Catalog Consortium to include all Delaware public schools and public county libraries.

Notes that only 37 percent of fourth-graders and 31 percent of eighth-graders in Delaware were found to be proficient in reading.

Cites the Delaware School Libraries master plan recommendation to expand the consortium to all school libraries to improve student performance.

References successful pilot program in 16 schools across Delaware, including Sussex Tech, 9 schools in Colonial School District, 4 charter schools, and 2 private schools.

Highlights that Delaware has 33 public libraries total (15 in New Castle County, 5 in Kent County, 13 in Sussex County) that could be integrated into the expanded network.