SB 119-SCHOOL LIBRARY GRANTS  1:37 :24 PM CHAIR BETTYE DAVIS announced SB 119 to be up for consideration. DENISE LICCIOLI, staff to Senator Olson, sponsor of SB 119, explained that the bill will establish a grant program for public school library acquisitions. Individual school library budget shortfalls have impacted many libraries across the state; they must use inter-library loans to participate in reading programs like Battle of the Books. The program will provide a means to update atlases and other books that go out of date quickly and that are necessary for supporting classroom curriculum standards. The Alaska Association of School Librarians supports the legislation and suggests funding a $2500 annual grant for larger libraries and a $750 annual grant for smaller libraries with five or fewer teachers. The bill will help produce better readers at all grade levels. 1:40:17 PM CATHY BOUTIN, representing herself, talked about how expensive books are for school libraries and gave examples of how the bill could help increase their book, DVD, and periodical stocks. Online encyclopedias are also important but expensive. 1:43:00 PM SENATOR ELTON asked if the current bill language would allow for DVD purchases. MS. BOUTIN replied that it may have been left out but she could clarify that with Senator Olson's staff. SENATOR ELTON remarked that a lot of information comes from computers nowadays, and asked why there's not a provision in the bill for computer hardware or operating software. MS. BOUTIN replied that there were materials provided to the committee explaining why books are still important for learning. A lot of information on the internet isn't necessarily accurate. 1:46:05 PM LYNN MCNAMARA, librarian for Scenic Park Elementary, said that students don't necessarily have a lot of access to computers in school; books are more readily available, and are an equalizer for both rural and urban communities without access to the internet. Internet information is difficult to sift through, as well, and accuracy is spotty. She explained that the materials purchased for libraries are based on the subjects that students tend to study in certain levels of school. A study has shown that even people who use the internet often tend to use books as well. Book information is accurate and is aimed at students in applicable ways. She then related a personal story about the differences between book and internet learning. 1:51:12 PM BARB BRYSON, Valdez school district librarian, said that the Alaska Association of School Librarians and the Alaska Library Association support the bill. There should be an annual grant of up to $2500 for public school libraries; the bill would parallel the already existing state-supported libraries. The grant would help purchase a wide variety of resources to aid in learning. The average budget for public school libraries in Alaska is low compared with national averages. She cited the state standards for library functions, and said that school libraries need adequate funds to fulfill these duties. 1:54:25 PM KARI SAGEL, representing herself, said that school libraries are important for students prepping for standardized testing and keeping up with curriculum. The book budget has had to be supplemented with other fundraising methods. Books often focus on specific topics more often than internet information, and so are an important part of learning. The implementation of state standards has created a need for new information and resources, and for maximum student use materials need to available in the library although not limited to curriculum subjects. 1:57:15 PM CHARLOTTE GLOVER, representing herself, said that she runs a statewide essay program for fulfilling need from different libraries across the state. Libraries must raise funds for new books themselves, and there's also a huge strain transferred to public libraries because of interlibrary loans; kids need to have access to good reading material. 1:59:33 PM TIKI LEVINSON, representing herself, said that a solid education is based on available information in libraries. She referenced how out of date schools' libraries are, and how materials can become damaged. Current collections need to be shored up with additional material. 2:02:40 PM BARBARA NAGENGAST, principal of Spring Hill Elementary School, said that libraries are the heart of schools. A key component of study findings is that school libraries are critical to producing people who read throughout their lives. Workforce development is also greatly influenced by teaching kids how to read. If students are to be well-prepared for life and work, they need to be good readers. 2:05:35 PM SENATOR THOMAS moved to report SB 119 from committee with individual recommendations and attached fiscal note(s). There being no objection, the motion carried.