An important bill for all Massachusetts students, "An Act Relative to School Library Standards", has advanced out of the Joint Committee on Education and is now before both the House and Senate Ways & Means Committee. July 31, 2026, is the last day of formal session. If we do not see this bill come to a vote by the full Senate and House before then, we will need to restart the entire process for the 2027-2028 legislative session. Even if you have an email to your elected officials before asking them to prioritize this legisaltion, this is the time to make a new ask. 

Please join the Massachusetts School Library Association and EveryLibrary to send a message today to your state Senator and Representative asking them endorse S.2865 / H.5177 in their Ways & Means Committees and put it on the floor for a vote. 

The School Library Standards legislation defines what an effective school library program should include: a Licensed School Library Teacher (LSLT), up-to-date, culturally responsive print and digital resources, equitable learning opportunities for all students, integration of information literacy competencies across K-12 learning, and alignment to MSLA and AASL National School Library Standards.

Importantly, these bills require no new funding. Instead, DESE will collect data, support districts, and provide the tools needed to ensure equitable access across the Commonwealth.

Ask your state legislators to advance H.5177 / S.2865. Students cannot develop strong research, media literacy, and critical thinking skills without access to high-quality school library programs.

Please send your message today! With your help, we can secure the future of school libraries in Massachusetts.