SB 491

This bill authorizes the Division for Libraries and Technology in the

Department of Public Instruction to collect and maintain public library–related

data, including purchasing licenses for data collection software; training staff on the

effective use of data; creating tools for libraries to use internally in analyzing, and

to report to the public about, library use; and developing and implementing

technology systems that allow for interoperable data exchange and automation of

work processes.

This bill also makes certain public libraries located in census-defined rural

areas and serving municipalities with a population of 20,000 or less eligible to receive

grants under the Technology for Educational Achievement program, known as

TEACH. Under the TEACH program, the Department of Administration awards

information technology block grants to school districts to improve information

technology infrastructure and educational technology teacher training grants to

school districts to train teachers in the use of educational technology. Under the bill,

DOA may award grants to eligible libraries to improve information technology

infrastructure in rural libraries and train librarians in rural libraries in the use of

educational technology.