Library Services

A Licensed School Librarian, known in Minnesota as a School Library Media Specialist, has a Master’s Degree in library information science or a graduate certificate in school library media programs as well as a state-issued library media specialist or librarian teaching license. The purpose of a librarian in the school is to work directly with students and staff. A licensed library media specialist:

• Encourages a love of literacy, reading and the pursuit of knowledge
• Provides access to reliable, relevant, age-appropriate resources
• Collaborates with teachers to support instruction and teach digital citizenship, research, information and technology literacy skills
• Work directly with students to support reading and the development of skills needed to be college or career ready 
• Advocate for intellectual freedom and ensure access to information that represents multiple perspectives

A school district or charter school library or school library media center provides equitable and free access to students, teachers, and administrators.

A school library or school library media center must have the following characteristics:

(1) ensures every student has equitable access to resources and is able to locate, access, and use resources that are organized and cataloged; (2) has a collection development plan that includes but is not limited to materials selection and deselection, a challenged materials procedure, and an intellectual and academic freedom statement; (3) is housed in a central location that provides an environment for expanded learning and supports a variety of student interests; (4) has technology and Internet access; and (5) is served by a licensed school library media specialist or licensed school librarian.

Minn. Stat. § 124D.901

A fully staffed library program includes a full-time licensed library media specialist and a paraprofessional. The support staff handles all circulation and clerical duties, while the library media specialist teaches classes, collaborates with teachers, and provides direct instruction and support to students.

A library is not a luxury, but one of the necessities of life.- Henry Ward Beecher

Our secondary and K-8 school libraries are staffed by a licensed library media specialist and are open throughout the school day. SPPS elementary school libraries are staffed with a Teaching Assistant. Elementary library hours of operation vary from site to site and are determined by school administrators. 

Scholastic has compiled research from over 30 separate studies demonstrating the integral role librarians play in teaching and supporting student learning. They found that when school librarians are cut, student achievement suffers. View the full report HERE

Libraries don’t just mean print books. Digital resources are essential in a 1:1 iPad environment, and library media specialists play a crucial role. They curate digital content, support instruction, teach digital citizenship, and educate students about issues such as online safety, privacy, and behavior as well as the ethical use of information. Library Media Specialists can also act as an in-house technology specialist, assisting students with device questions or issues.

Just as all content areas have standards, library media specialists have information and technology literacy standards to meet for all grade levels. The American Association of School Librarians published new standards in 2019. The standards may be viewed at: https://standards.aasl.org 

Minnesota also has their own library media standards written by ITEM, the School Library Unit of the Minnesota Library Association. The state standards may be viewed here: https://www.mnlibraryassociation.org/page/ITEMstandards

Sec. 2. [134.51] ACCESS TO LIBRARY MATERIALS AND RIGHTS PROTECTED.

Subdivision 1. Book banning prohibited. 

A public library must not ban, remove, or otherwise restrict access to a book or other material based solely on its viewpoint or the
messages, ideas, or opinions it conveys.

Subd. 2.  Definitions. 
(a) For purposes of this section, the terms defined in this subdivision
have the meanings given.
(b) "Public library" means:
(1) a library that provides free access to all residents of a city or county, receives at least
half of its financial support from public funds, and is organized under the provisions of this
chapter, except that a library under this clause does not include libraries such as law, medical,
or other libraries organized to serve a special group of persons and not the general public;
(2) a library jointly operated by a city and a school district under section 134.195;
(3) a school district or charter school library or media center under section 124D.991,
including libraries operated by an intermediate school district or cooperative unit under
section 123A.24, subdivision 2; or
(4) a public higher education institution library.
(c) "Governing body" means a group of persons that oversee the operations, budget, policies, and other administrative responsibilities of a regional public library system undersection 134.20, subdivision 2; a multicounty, multitype library system under section 134.351,
subdivision 4; a combination library under section 134.195, subdivision 7; a school libraryunder section 124D.991, including libraries operated by an intermediate school district orcooperative unit under section 123A.24, subdivision 2; or any other public library under
section 134.001, subdivision 2.

Subd. 3. Limitations. 
(a) Nothing in this section limits a public library's authority to decline to purchase, lend, or shelve or to remove or restrict access to books or other materials legitimately based upon:
(1) practical reasons, including but not limited to shelf space limitations, rare or antiquarian status, damage, or obsolescence;
(2) legitimate pedagogical concerns, including but not limited to the appropriateness of
potentially sensitive topics for the library's intended audience, the selection of books and
materials for a curated collection, or the likelihood of causing a material and substantial
disruption of the work and discipline of the school; or
(3) compliance with state or federal law.
(b) Nothing in this section impairs or limits the rights of a parent, guardian, or an adult
student under section 120B.20.

Subd. 4. Collection management. 
A governing body of a public library or any other public body with personnel authority for a public library may not discriminate against or discipline an employee for complying with this section.

Subd. 5. Library materials policy. 
(a) A governing body of a public library must adopt a policy that establishes procedures for selection of, challenges to, and reconsideration of library materials in accordance with this section.(b) The policy must not impair or limit the rights of a parent, guardian, or adult studentunder section 120B.20.
(c) The policy must establish that the procedures for selection and reconsideration will be administered by:
(1) a licensed library media specialist under Minnesota Rules, part 8710.4550;
(2) an individual with a master's degree in library science or library and informationscience; or
(3) a professional librarian or a person trained in library collection management.
(d) Upon the completion of a content challenge or reconsideration process in accordance with the governing body's adopted policy, the governing body must submit a report of the
challenge to the commissioner of education that includes:
(1) the title, author, and other relevant identifying information about the material beingchallenged;
(2) the date, time, and location of any public hearing held on the challenge in question,including minutes or transcripts;
(3) the result of the challenge or reconsideration request; and
(4) accurate and timely information on who from the governing body the Departmentof Education may contact with questions or follow-up.

Yes. 606.5 Library Materials Policy establishes that library materials in Saint Paul Public Schools are essential for enriching the curriculum and meeting the diverse interests of students. The school board delegates the responsibility for selecting and maintaining these collections to licensed library media specialists, who are expected to use professional standards and objective criteria—such as artistic quality, authenticity, and educational significance—rather than personal opinion. While the policy protects the rights of parents to restrict their own children's access to specific items, it explicitly prohibits the removal or banning of materials based solely on the viewpoints or opinions they express, ensuring that the collection as a whole remains comprehensive and representative of diverse perspectives.

There is also official procedure (606.5.1) for challenging library materials based on appropriateness.