Bill Text: NJ SJR102 | 2020-2021 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Designates month of April of each year as School Library Month in NJ.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 2-1)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-12-16 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Education Committee [SJR102 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2020-SJR102-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator CHRISTOPHER "KIP" BATEMAN
District 16 (Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex and Somerset)
SYNOPSIS
Designates month of April of each year as School Library Month in NJ.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Joint Resolution designating the month of April of each year as School Library Month in New Jersey.
Whereas, School libraries serve as the informational hubs of educational institutions by providing students and teachers with prompt access to physical and digital information on various subjects; and
Whereas, The inclusion of school libraries, and their resources, within school curriculums has resulted in various academic, social, and cultural benefits; and
Whereas, Schools that frequently include school library visits and library resources within their academic curriculums have seen increases in students' overall academic performances and have reported being able to provide students with a more well-rounded education; and
Whereas, School libraries encourage curiosity, innovation, problem-solving, and critical thinking among students while also improving students' reading comprehension skills, research skills, and writing skills; a skillset which prepares students for success in future academics and careers; and
Whereas, The New Jersey State Board of Education recognizes information literacy, which includes the ability to identify, find, evaluate, and utilize information effectively, as a skill essential in creating independent, informed citizens; these information literacy skills are fostered among students within school libraries; and
Whereas, School libraries facilitate various types of learning ranging from independent studying to collaborative group work, which allows for the individual needs of each student to be met while also providing opportunities for students to improve social skills; and
Whereas, Cultural awareness and history appreciation among students is also stimulated within school libraries; school libraries provide materials that reflect diversity of ideas and the beliefs of religious, social, political, historical, and ethnic groups as well as their contributions to American and world culture; and
Whereas, School libraries should be recognized for their contribution to the academic, social, and cultural growth of students, for their ability to strengthen school curriculums, and for their ability to encourage lifelong pursuits of knowledge; and
Whereas, The month of April has been designated nationally as "School Library Month" by the American Association of School Librarians beginning in April of 2020; now, therefore,
Be It
Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of
the State of New Jersey:
1. The month of April of each year is designated as "School Library Month" in New Jersey.
2. The Governor is respectfully requested to annually issue a proclamation calling upon public officials and residents of the State to observe "School Library Month" with appropriate events and activities.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This joint resolution designates the month of April of each year as "School Library Month" in New Jersey.
School libraries are the informational hubs of educational institutions that provide students and teachers with access to physical and digital information on various subjects in one centralized, organized location. The inclusion of school libraries, and their resources, within school curriculums results in elevated academic performances, increased cultural awareness and history appreciation, and increased critical thinking, information literacy, and reading comprehension skills among students.
In addition, school library visits and the use of library resources allow for schools to provide students with a more well-rounded education. School libraries also facilitate various learning styles, which allows for the individual needs of each student to be met.
School libraries provide students and teachers with important learning materials, encourage academic, social, and cultural growth among students, and inspire students to continue on a lifelong path of learning. For these reasons, schools should encourage the use of school libraries, and their resources, within school curriculums and observe "School Library Month" each April in New Jersey.
