STATE OF DELAWARE
governor’s office
DOVER
EXECUTIVE ORDERS
Number 30: Recognizing and Reconstituting the School Libraries Council to Improve and Extend the School Library Services that are Essential to Educational Success
WHEREAS, in or about January 1993, the State Librarian issued a report entitled “An Action Agenda for Delaware Libraries”; and
WHEREAS, partially in response to the State Librarian’s report, former Governor Thomas R. Carper convened a Task Force on School Libraries; and
WHEREAS, the Governor’s Task Force on School Libraries was established by Executive Order Number Thirty-Five, issued by Governor Ruth Ann Minner on January 15, 2003; and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interests of the State that the Governor’s Task Force on School Libraries be recognized and reconstituted as the School Libraries Council;
NOW THEREFORE, I, JACK A. MARKELL, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Governor of the State of Delaware, do hereby DECLARE and ORDER that:
1. The School Libraries Council (the "Council") is hereby established for the purpose of assuming the responsibilities of and replacing the Governor’s Task Force on School Libraries.
2. The Council shall be composed of thirteen members who shall serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority. The Chairperson of the Council shall be appointed by the Governor from among the Council members. The Council members shall include one member appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, one member appointed by the Speaker of the House and eleven members appointed by the Governor. The members appointed by the Governor shall include:
a. A representative of the Department of Education recommended by the Secretary of the Department of Education;
b. A representative of the Department of State recommended by the Secretary of State;
c. A representative of the Department of Technology and Information recommended by the Chief Information Officer of the Department of Technology and Information;
d. A school librarian representing Delaware school libraries;
e. A representative of the Delaware school library media certification/education program;
f. A representative of the online periodicals program for K-12 schools, UDLib/SEARCH;
g. A representative of the business community; and
h. Four public members, which shall include one resident of the City of Wilmington, one resident of New Castle County outside of the City of Wilmington, one resident of Kent County, and one resident of Sussex County.
3. The purposes of the Council shall be to improve and extend school library services to all Delaware public and charter school students from pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade, to support curriculum reform efforts related to school libraries, and to prepare students to succeed in college and career readiness through enhancement of library resources. In furtherance of these purposes, the Council shall:
a. Communicate and collaborate among state agencies and state organizations that advocate and support improvement in school libraries, such as the Department of Education, Department of State, Department of Technology and Information, Delaware School Library Association, Diamond State Reading Association, and others responsible for school libraries, public libraries and technology, to help support and improve school libraries.
b. Encourage the use of professional standards for school libraries via local education agencies by assessing and recommending improvements for their programs.
c. Participate in literacy efforts throughout the State, especially reading initiatives in schools.
d. Promote education of library personnel and students to improve competence in accessing the use of global information.
e. Support the exemplary school library programs and collaboration among librarians and teachers who showcase the special effects on academic achievement attained through quality school libraries.
f. Act by majority vote and adopt by-laws that provide for operating procedures such as the election of officers, appointment of committees, designation of a quorum, conduct of meetings, and other matters that will promote the efficient operation of the Council in the performance of its duties under this executive order.
g. Prepare and submit an annual report of its activities to the Secretary of Education and the Governor.
4. Executive Order No. 35, dated January 15, 2003, issued by Governor Ruth Ann Minner, is hereby rescinded.
APPROVED this 14th day of September, 2011
