Extensive research reveals that 26 states have requirements, either in actual state laws or regulations, to employ school librarians (Kachel & Lance 2020). Unfortunately, 16 of the 26 state do not enforce the requirements. Go to https://libslide.org/publications/ for the full report.
Federal Flash is the Alliance for Excellent Education’s five-minute (or less!) video series on important developments in education policy in Washington, DC. Sign up to receive email notices for the next video. Or go to https://all4ed.org/publications/federal-flash/
https://www.ala.org/advocacy/buildlibraries
Although created for the Regional Leaders Academy for PA School Librarians, July 11-12, 2017, this PowerPoint has basic advice when talking or communicating with legislators. Created by Deb Kachel
WashingtonVotes.org provides timely plain-English descriptions of bills, records of legislators' votes, and a forum for commenting on legislation.
JANUARY 2023 UPDATE
Contact your legislator and ask him to vote YES on Senate Bill 5102, a bill requiring a certified librarian in every school. Find your legislator here. Find resources to help you craft your “ask” here.
SENATE BILL 5102 School library information and technology programs bill update
Legislation Requiring Teacher Librarians in WA
Teacher librarians are legislatively required based on the state’s K–12 education funding formula, called the Prototypical School Funding Model (PSFM), which was adopted by the Legislature in 2010. However, this school funding legislation has not been fully funded and thus the staffing requirements are mostly ignored by school districts. The model includes “teacher librarians at .663 librarians per 1,000 students at the elementary level; .519 at the middle school level; .523 at the high school level.” RCW 28A.150.260 Allocation of state funding to support instructional program of basic education—Distribution formula.
RCW. 28A.320.240- School library information and technology programs - Resources and materials - Teacher-librarians -identifies the criteria for "quality" school library information and technology programs able to support Washington's academic standards and graduation requirements. OSPI. https://www.k12.wa.us/educator-support/education-staff-associate-esa/librarians/laws-regulations-guidance
April 2021 Media Literacy Bill
Requires OSPI to establish a grant program for supporting media literacy and digital citizenship. Requires OSPI to convene two regional conferences on the subject of media literacy and digital citizenship
MSOC Money Per Student for Library Materials
2021 legislation impacting WLA and School Libraries:
WA 2021 legislative actions benefit librarians willing to spend time on funding sources.
WA passed HB1365 which helps ensure students have devices but includes teacher-librarians (
WLA lobbyist Carolyn Logue shared per student budget for libraries pulled from MSOC (material, supplies, and operating costs) is $21.54 per student:
From Carolyn: “….intent by the legislature that library materials and teacher librarians be funded and that there is accountability for how the district is using the money if they do not use it for the purpose outlined… My suggestion is always to put together a plan that shows how both students and teachers will benefit. With the current pandemic, I would utilize a “lessons learned” approach and how the library materials are needed to benefit equity, student (and teacher) mental health, and helping students regain lost learning.”
Click on pie graph to see percentages of schools with and without librarians.
Political Advocacy for School Librarians by 
