Education (Libraries)

vetoed · New York · Senate Dec 19, 2025

S 1099: Enacts the freedom to read act

Enacts the "freedom to read act"; requires the commissioner of education and school library systems to develop policies to ensure that school libraries and library staff are empowered to curate and develop collections that provide students with access to the widest array of developmentally appropriate materials available.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates policies enabling school libraries to provide diverse, developmentally appropriate materials, directly enhancing educational access and curriculum freedom in K-12 schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Libraries

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5464: Establishes requirements for library material in public school libraries and public libraries

Establishes requirements for library material in public school libraries and public libraries; requires the development of policies for removal of materials; establishes protections for school library media specialists and librarians against harassment and discrimination in employment related to the refusal to remove library materials.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill protects librarians from harassment for refusing to remove materials, ensuring access to diverse library resources in schools.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Libraries

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4226: Establishes requirements for school libraries

This bill requires all elementary and secondary school libraries to provide equitable access to both physical resources (like books and technology) and digital resources (like e-books and databases). It mandates that libraries offer flexible access to space and staff for students, teachers, and faculty, and that school districts allocate budgets per student to maintain relevant resources. Districts must annually evaluate libraries using a state-created rubric, and the education commissioner will establish rules for library management and reporting. The law directly affects all public school districts in the state, setting concrete standards for library access and funding.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates school districts allocate per-student budgets for library resources, directly funding essential educational infrastructure within fiscal management framework.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates equitable access to physical/digital resources, per-student budget allocation, and annual evaluations to strengthen library services and access.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates equitable digital resource access (e-books, databases) and technology in school libraries, with budget allocation per student to maintain resources, promoting digital equity.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Libraries Student Health

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1855: Relates to requiring the department of education to provide school districts with a list of resources and instructional materials on media literacy

Relates to requiring the department of education to provide school districts with a list of resources and instructional materials on media literacy; defines terms.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires media literacy resources for schools, enhancing curriculum support without funding restrictions or limitations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Libraries

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4978: Relates to media literacy education

Enacts the "media literacy act"; requires teachers and library media specialists to complete professional development related to media literacy education; requires a school library media specialist in each elementary, intermediate, middle, junior high and senior high school; directs the commissioner of education to appoint a media literacy advisory committee to study the teaching of media literacy; creates a media literacy advisory committee to annually review policy and procedures on media literacy.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates media literacy professional development for educators and requires library media specialists, advancing curriculum standards in education.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates media literacy education to enhance digital literacy and critical evaluation of online content, supporting responsible technology use and digital rights.85% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Libraries

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7568: Requires the state librarian to provide guidance on the curation of library material to all school library systems

Bill A 7568, known as the "school libraries curation guidance act," requires the state librarian to provide guidance on library material curation to all school library systems. This guidance will include standards to ensure library materials present a wide range of viewpoints, prohibit censorship, and provide access to developmentally relevant content for all students. It also outlines procedures for librarians to regularly review and remove materials based on factors like relevance, condition, and demand. The state librarian will maintain and publish a list of school library systems that adopt policies meeting these minimum standards.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates guidance ensuring diverse viewpoints, prohibits censorship, and guarantees access to developmentally appropriate library materials in schools - directly protecting educational access and curriculum integrity.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Libraries

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5416: Relates to enacting the "books save lives act"

This bill requires public school libraries receiving state aid to maintain collections of diverse books meeting specific criteria, directly affecting schools and library systems that rely on state funding. It defines "diverse books" as those featuring characters from underrepresented communities (including racial/ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ individuals, religious minorities, and people with disabilities) and mandates that libraries include materials written by or about these groups. The bill also requires school boards to approve any permanent removal of library materials based on educational suitability - not public pressure - and adds a new requirement that libraries must adopt the American Library Association's Library Bill of Rights or create a formal policy banning book removals to continue receiving state aid. These provisions aim to ensure student access to inclusive materials while protecting libraries from politically motivated removals.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates diverse book collections in public school libraries, directly promoting inclusive curriculum and educational access for underrepresented groups.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Libraries

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7891: Relates to requiring the department of education to provide school districts with a list of resources and instructional materials on media literacy

Relates to requiring the department of education to provide school districts with a list of resources and instructional materials on media literacy; defines terms.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates department to provide media literacy resources to schools, directly supporting curriculum development and student media literacy education.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Libraries

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