Parents, students and librarians press State Board as it adopts library media rules

The Maryland State Board of Education voted to grant permission to adopt revisions to COMAR 13A.05.04 governing school library media programs after a prolonged public comment period that yielded more than 10,000 submissions. The rules, the department said, strengthen expectations that schools provide certified school library media specialists and add a standardized reconsideration and appeals process anchored to the Freedom to Read Act.

Nicole Little, a private citizen and library media specialist who spent nearly three decades in Maryland public high schools, told the board she was “unsettled” that revisions were drafted without school library media input and urged the board to “pause and consider further additions” to the objections policy rather than adopt the 30-day public-comment step in its current form. Lorenna Woo, the incoming student member of the State Board, urged the board to include students on reconsideration committees and to require certified library media specialists or SLMs in every school, saying student voice improves committee decisions.

MSDE officials acknowledged mixed feelings in the field but said the regulation is intended to create continuity across the state. Dr. Chelsea Brewer, who presented the package, said the department will issue guidance immediately and convene a work group with district library supervisors, SLMs, unions and other stakeholders to clarify implementation. The department also flagged non-substantive edits and an update to the biennial reporting reference.

Board members pressed staff about data collection and implementation. MSDE said it will use existing biannual program reports to track staffing and vacancies and will enhance the reporting instrument to capture the new expectations. The board emphasized that guidance should be co-developed with districts and that implementation monitoring will follow adoption.

What’s next: The board has granted permission to adopt the regulation; MSDE will issue guidance and convene stakeholders to support districts as the rules are implemented. Public commenters who opposed or supported the changes submitted written testimony during the rulemaking record; the department says it will continue dialogue with librarians and educators as the regulation becomes operational.