Committee Meets to Begin Developing Guidelines for School Libraries

On June 1, 2006, Governor Tom Vilsack signed HF2792 which requires each Iowa school district to have a qualified licensed teacher librarian. 

This legislation also requires the State Board of Education to define and establish guidelines for school library programs in kindergarten through grade twelve. 

A committee appointed to draft the guidelines and prepare technical assistance for school libraries held its inaugural meeting on August 30-31.  They expect to complete their work and submit recommendations to the Board of Education by December 2006.

Mary Wegner, State Librarian of Iowa, and Rita Martens, Instructional Services Consultant for the Iowa Department of Education, co-chair the committee.  Mary Jo Langhorne, author of Developing an Information Literacy Program K-12, Neal-Schuman Publishers, 2004, has agreed to serve as consultant to the group. 

Other committee members are:

• Peg Brady, Head Teacher for Library Media Services, Sioux City Community School District
• Mary Cameron, Youth Services Consultant, State Library of Iowa
• Pearl Miller, School Library Media Director, BCLUW Community School District, recipient of Iowa Glass Apple Award for outstanding teacher librarians, Conrad
• Denise Rehmke, Librarian, Iowa City West High School; President-elect, Iowa Association of School Librarians; recipient of Iowa Glass Apple Award for outstanding teacher librarians
• Rhonda Sheeley, Director of Media and Technology Services, Keystone AEA, Elkader
• Kristin Steingreaber, Media Specialist, Southern Prairie AEA 15, Ottumwa; President, Iowa Association of School Librarians

"Research shows that school libraries and teacher librarians are critical for student achievement," said Wegner.  "Committee members are pleased to have this opportunity to provide school districts with guidelines for high quality school library programs that will improve education in Iowa."