The SKILLs Act
On Tuesday June 26, 2007, Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Thad Cochran (R-MS) and Representatives Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) and Vernon Ehlers (R-MI) introduced the Strengthening Kids’ Interest in Learning and Libraries (SKILLs) Act that guarantees students across America will be served by state-certified school library media specialists and will have the library resources they need to succeed.
The SKILLs Act:
 Requires school districts, to the extent feasible, to ensure that every school within the district employs at least one state-certified school library media specialist in each school library;
Establishes as a state goal that there be at least one highly qualified school library media specialist in every public school;
Broadens the focus of training, professional development, and recruitment activities to include school library media specialists;
Ensures that funds will serve elementary, middle, and high school students; and
Requires books and materials to be appropriate for and engage the interest of students in all grade levels and students with special learning needs, including English language learners.
URGENT ACTION NEEDED: This legislation is critical to the future of school library media specialists. Contact your Senators and ask them to cosponsor S. 1699. Contact your Representative to co-sponsor H.R. 2864.
Related Documents and Links:
AASL Position Statement on the SKILLs Act
AASL in action - Library Day on the Hill
The SKILLs Act Talking Points
ALA news release: "Legislation Introduced to Ensure Essential Library Resources, Support for 21st Century Education"
ALA Washington Office's Legislation Action Center
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