NY A01538

Requires every school district to employ a certified school library media specialist in each elementary, intermediate, middle, junior high, and senior high school within three years of the law taking effect

Establishes staffing ratios based on enrollment: 0.15 FTE for schools with up to 100 students, 0.3 FTE for 101-300 students, 0.5 FTE for 301-500 students, and 1.0 FTE for over 500 students

Schools with 1,000-2,000 students must employ one full-time specialist plus one support staff person; schools with 2,000+ students require two specialists and two support staff, with additional support staff for each additional 1,000 students

Commissioner may grant up to a two-year waiver for districts in designated shortage areas if they submit a compliance plan, but no waiver may exceed two consecutive school years

Expands the definition of school library materials to include audio/visual, online, and electronic materials needed for media literacy programs