(1) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires: (a) "Director" means the director of a board of trustees employed by the board of trustees pursuant to section 24-90-109 (1)(c). (b) "Evidence-based training in the science of reading" or "training" means training that: (I) Is based on reliable, trustworthy, and valid evidence; (II) Includes explanation and instruction in the areas of phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary development, reading fluency, including oral skills, and reading comprehension; and (III) Is included on the advisory list of rigorous professional development programs created and maintained by the department of education pursuant to section 22-7-1209 (2)(c). (2) (a) The director of each public library is encouraged to work with the department of education to provide evidence-based training in the science of reading for each librarian who works with children enrolled in preschool, kindergarten, or early elementary grades. In addition, the director is encouraged to identify and provide in the library materials and activities for parents and children to improve literacy, which materials and activities are appropriate for preschool, kindergarten through second grade, and third through sixth grade and are designed to improve reading competency in the areas of phonemic awareness; phonics; vocabulary development; reading fluency, including oral skills; and reading comprehension. (b) At the request of a director, the department of education shall provide, at no cost to the public library, evidence-based training in the science of reading to one or more librarians who are employed by the public library. The department may provide the training in-person or online and may provide the same training for librarians that it provides for teachers pursuant to section 22-7-1208 (6)(c). (3) The director of each public library may prepare a plan describing how the director and the librarians employed at the library will work with children and their parents to support literacy using materials, activities, and strategies that are supported by the science of reading. The director is encouraged to submit the plan to the state librarian by July 1, 2024.
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