NY A05232

Each school district must maintain a school library in every elementary and secondary school and employ a certified school library media specialist in each library within three years of the law's effective date.

Staffing requirements for certified school library media specialists are based on school enrollment, ranging from 0.15 full-time equivalent for schools with 100 or fewer pupils to additional full-time positions for schools exceeding 2,000 pupils (with one additional specialist per 1,000 additional pupils).

Schools with 1,000 or more pupils must employ at least one full-time library clerk, with additional clerks required for each additional 1,000 students.

The commissioner may grant one-year waivers from these requirements if a school district demonstrates it is in a shortage area for certified specialists and made a good-faith employment offer, limited to two consecutive years and two waivers within any five-year period.

The law takes effect on July 1st following enactment.