SB 597

This bill requires school boards to develop and implement a policy under which

the custodial parent or guardian of a pupil who is under the age of 16 is notified of

each document or material the pupil checks out from a school library as soon as is

practicable, but no later than 24 hours after the checkout. Under current law, subject

to various exceptions, library records that identify who borrows or uses a library

material may not be disclosed. One of the exceptions is for custodial parents of a child

who is under the age of 16. Specifically, current law requires, upon the request of a

custodial parent or guardian of a child who is under the age of 16, a library supported

by public funds to disclose to the custodial parent or guardian all library records

relating to the use of the library's documents or other materials, resources, or

services by the child.

The bill also requires a school board to annually notify parents and guardians

of pupils enrolled in the school district of whether or not the school board provides

pupils access to the electronic collection of resources known as Badger Link that is

maintained by the Division for Libraries and Technology in the Department of Public

Instruction.