If you’re a Texas educator, you probably know about how the Texas legislature has dropped a bomb on book selection processes for K-12 public school libraries. Private school libraries aren’t subject to the same issues. I first became aware of the challenges Texas public school librarians are facing when I attended an online conference for school librarians. One of the presenters did her best to address the issues in a professional, diplomatic way. But it all seemed so confusing, and the perfect opportunity to use a Gen AI bot (also known as a custom GPT) to address the problem of getting clarity.

Disclaimer: I am not a librarian or a lawyer. I did create several versions of a custom GPT using Gen AI that combines various documents, including law and legal docs. If you choose to use any of the suggestions below, please carefully review them yourself prior to implementation.

How I Made the Bot

To that end, I made several versions of the Library Law bot using BoodleBox AI. This is the “pro” version that relies on a high-end Gen AI model (which means free users may encounter limits, such as no more than 5 queries). You can, of course, sign up for an account using the MGFREE123 code for two months free or, if that’s exhausted by the time you read this, my referral code which gets you one month free of BoodleBox Unlimited. Learn more about why BoodleBox Unlimited is the best investment for $20 (or $16 if you use your edu email) that protects your data privacy, doesn’t train on your data, etc.

The Library Law Pro Bot

You simply go to the Library Bot Pro website, and ask it questions. But what questions?

A Testimonial from a School Librarian

This was posted by a colleague on Facebook. I’ve removed the librarian’s name and identifying info:

It is three o’clock in the morning, and I can’t sleep because my mind is replaying the no good, horrible, very bad week I had at work. It wasn’t bad because of the students (they were funny and inquisitive and were happy to talk about all the books with me). It wasn’t my co-workers ([campus] has the best staff – bar none). It wasn’t my district (still proud to be part of [districtname]). It was because this week, a law made over the summer in the Texas Senate had real, tangible effects on my day-to-day job.See the end of this blog entry for the account.

Read the rest of the account at the end of the blog entry.

From this account, I went ahead and extracted questions and issues of concern.

Issues of Concern

Key Library Issues from the Account

Based on the librarian’s account, here are the key issues related to libraries and collections in question form, followed by responses:

Questions and Responses

1. What changes does SB 13 make to the book ordering process for school librarians?

Response:
SB 13 significantly changes the book acquisition process for school librarians in Texas. Under this law:

Librarians must now obtain approval from a Local School Library Advisory Council (LSLAC), which consists primarily of parents, before purchasing books
Proposed book acquisitions, including donations, must be publicly posted on the district website for 30 days before the school board can approve them
This creates delays in responding to student and staff needs for materials
The law applies to both campus libraries and classroom libraries

This represents a shift from the previous system where certified librarians with Masters degrees in Library Science could make professional collection development decisions based on their training and district guidelines.

2. How does SB 13 affect the weeding process (removing outdated or damaged books)?

Response:
SB 13 has created new requirements for the weeding process:

Librarians must now post books they intend to remove for 30 days for community feedback before removing them
This applies even to books that are damaged, outdated, or no longer relevant (like a 2010 book about AI)
This significantly slows down collection maintenance, which traditionally allowed librarians to keep collections current and relevant
The process applies to both main library collections and classroom libraries

This requirement creates delays in maintaining up-to-date collections and adds administrative burden to what was previously a standard professional practice.

3. What new responsibilities do school librarians have regarding classroom libraries under SB 13?

Response:
Under SB 13, school librarians now have expanded responsibilities for classroom libraries:

Librarians are personally responsible for overseeing all classroom libraries in their schools
Classroom libraries must comply with the same standards as the main campus library
Books in classroom libraries are subject to the same review and challenge processes as main library books
When a book is challenged, it must be removed from both the main library and all classroom libraries during review
If a book is ultimately removed, the board must notify teachers to remove any copies from classroom libraries

This represents a significant expansion of librarian responsibilities, especially in large schools with many classrooms.

4. What is the role of the Local School Library Advisory Council (LSLAC) under SB 13?

Response:
SB 13 establishes Local School Library Advisory Councils (LSLACs) with significant oversight powers:

Districts have the option to create an LSLAC, with a majority of members being parents
A district must create an LSLAC if a petition is signed by 50 parents or 10% of parents, whichever is reached first
The LSLAC must approve book purchases before they can be added to library collections
The council provides recommendations to the school board regarding challenged materials
Council members are not required to have training in library science or collection development

This creates a new layer of oversight for library collections that shifts some decision-making authority from certified librarians to parent committees.

5. How does SB 13 affect a librarian’s ability to respond to student and staff needs?

Response:
SB 13 creates several barriers to responsive collection development:

The 30-day public posting requirement for new acquisitions means librarians cannot quickly respond to curriculum needs or student interests
The approval process through the LSLAC adds additional time before materials can be ordered
The expanded responsibility for classroom libraries diverts librarian time and resources from other services
The additional administrative requirements for both acquisitions and weeding reduce the time available for direct student and teacher support
These processes apply to all materials, even those that would address immediate educational needs

These changes significantly impact a librarian’s ability to maintain a dynamic, responsive collection that meets evolving educational requirements.

Legal Alignment of the TSLC Framework

Legal Alignment Analysis of the Streamlined Framework

✅ YES – The Framework Aligns with Legal Requirements

Let me verify each component against HB 900 (READER Act) and SB 13:

HB 900 (READER Act) Requirements

✅ Collection Development Standards

Law requires: Districts adopt standards consistent with TEA model
Framework provides: Collection development policy aligned with TEA standards (listed in “What You MUST Do”)

✅ Prohibited Materials Standards

Law requires: No sexually explicit or harmful materials
Framework provides: Review flagging system and vendor pre-screening for potentially problematic content

✅ Vendor Accountability

Law requires: Vendors must rate materials appropriately
Framework provides: Use of pre-approved vendor lists and vendor pre-screening

SB 13 Requirements

✅ Parent Rights to Information

Law requires: Parents can access records of child’s library materials
Framework provides: Semester parent reports on all library usage, including public library access

✅ Local School Library Advisory Council (LSLAC)

Law requires: LSLAC creation if triggered by parent petition
Framework provides: Clear process for LSLAC formation “if required” and quarterly communication structure

✅ Collection Inventory

Law requires: Inventory of library and classroom collections
Framework provides: Complete inventory system for both main and classroom libraries

✅ Challenge Process

Law requires: Process for reviewing challenged materials
Framework provides: Challenge response templates and clear protocol

✅ Classroom Library Oversight

Law requires: Librarian oversight of classroom libraries
Framework provides: Teacher-led inventory with librarian oversight through Google Forms

Important Clarifications

✅ Correctly Identifies What’s NOT Required:

The framework correctly notes these are NOT state law requirements:

30-day posting for every book
Individual board approval for each book
Immediate removal of all books during review

✅ Public Library Access (Sora)

Law: Doesn’t prohibit public library access
Framework: Maintains access with parent opt-out option and transparency

Areas of Strong Legal Compliance

Parent Transparency: Exceeds requirements with proactive communication
Inventory Systems: Meets requirements for both library types
Challenge Process: Provides clear, consistent protocol
LSLAC Integration: Properly positions as “if required”
Collection Standards: Aligns with TEA requirements

Minor Recommendations for Enhanced Compliance

1. Document Retention

Add: “Maintain all compliance documentation for minimum 2 years”

2. Parent Request Process

Clarify: “Parents may submit lists of materials they don’t want their child to access” (SB 13 specific right)

3. Board Reporting

Add: “Annual compliance report to school board” (best practice for transparency)

4. Training Documentation

Add: “Document staff training on compliance procedures” (demonstrates good faith effort)

Legal Risk Assessment: LOW

The framework appropriately:

Addresses all mandatory requirements
Avoids creating unnecessary bureaucracy
Maintains educational access while ensuring compliance
Provides clear documentation trails
Balances parent rights with operational efficiency

Bottom Line

This framework is legally compliant. It meets all requirements of HB 900 and SB 13 while avoiding the common mistake of over-interpreting the law. The emphasis on “What You MUST Do” versus “What You DON’T Need to Do” is particularly valuable for preventing unnecessary work while ensuring full compliance.

The framework’s strength is that it implements the actual legal requirements without adding layers of unnecessary process that some districts have mistakenly adopted based on misunderstandings of the law.

A Streamlined Process for Texas School Library Compliance: A Framework

I don’t know if the following process would work for Texas public school librarians, but I offer it here in the hopes it may be helpful.

Core Principle: Build Once, Use Many Times

Create templates, systems, and processes that can be reused across all compliance requirements.

Phase 1: Foundation (Weeks 1-4)

1. Create Your Command Center

One System to Rule Them All

Set up a single Google Drive or SharePoint folder structure:

  📁 Library Compliance Hub
    ├── 📁 Templates (all your reusable forms)
    ├── 📁 Inventories (main & classroom libraries)
    ├── 📁 Acquisitions (batched by quarter)
    ├── 📁 Challenges (if/when they occur)
    └── 📁 Parent Communications

2. Build Your Core Team

Small Team, Clear Roles

Library Lead: Oversees process, handles main library
Tech Lead: Manages digital systems and Sora integration
Teacher Lead: Coordinates classroom library inventories
Parent Liaison: Manages LSLAC (if required) and communications

3. Create Master Templates

Make These Once, Use Forever

Book acquisition batch form (quarterly submissions)
Classroom library inventory spreadsheet
Parent permission slip for public library access
Challenge response template
Parent notification email templates

Phase 2: Smart Implementation (Weeks 5-12)

4. Inventory Strategy

Work Smarter, Not Harder

Main Library:

Export existing catalog to spreadsheet
Flag any titles that might need review
Done in one day with proper prep

Classroom Libraries:

Give teachers a simple Google Form
Teachers list only titles they’re unsure about
Assume standard curriculum materials are fine
Focus only on independent reading books

5. Public Library Access (Sora)

Keep It Simple

Add one checkbox to annual registration: “My child may access public library resources on school devices”
Default to “Yes” unless parent opts out
Send one email per semester showing what kids checked out
Let parents request restrictions as needed (don’t make everyone fill out forms)

6. Acquisition Process

Batch and Forget

Submit book orders quarterly (4 times per year)
Use pre-approved vendor lists when possible
Keep a running list throughout the quarter
Submit all at once for review

Phase 3: Sustainable Operations (Ongoing)

7. The 90/10 Rule

Focus on What Matters Most

90% of your collection is uncontroversial – process these quickly
10% might need careful review – spend your time here
Don’t over-process routine materials

8. Communication Rhythm

Predictable Updates Reduce Anxiety

Monthly: Quick email to teachers about any changes
Quarterly: Book acquisition updates to LSLAC (if applicable)
Semester: Parent report on student library usage (all sources)
Annually: Full compliance review and process refinement

9. Challenge Protocol

If and When Needed

Use the same template every time
One person manages all challenge communications
Keep a decision log for consistency
Remember: Challenges are rare – don’t over-engineer

Critical Simplifications

What You DON’T Need to Do:

❌ Post every book for 30 days (not required by state law)
❌ Get board approval for each individual book
❌ Inventory every single classroom book immediately
❌ Create complex tracking systems for routine materials
❌ Remove books during review unless explicitly required

What You MUST Do:

✅ Have a collection development policy aligned with TEA standards
✅ Create a process for parent input (LSLAC if triggered)
✅ Provide transparency about library materials
✅ Respond to formal challenges appropriately
✅ Maintain age-appropriate collections

Quick Win Strategies

1. The “Good Enough” Inventory

Start with what you have digitally
Add classroom libraries gradually
Focus on books kids actually read
Perfect is the enemy of done

2. The “Batch Everything” Approach

Acquisitions: Quarterly batches
Weeding: Annual summer project
Inventories: Once per year update
Communications: Scheduled monthly

3. The “Parent Partnership” Model

Make parents allies, not adversaries
Provide simple opt-in/opt-out choices
Share information proactively
Address concerns quickly and professionally

Technology Shortcuts

Essential Tools Only:

Google Forms: For all data collection
Shared Spreadsheets: For inventories and tracking
Email Templates: For all standard communications
Calendar Reminders: For all recurring tasks
Existing Library System: Don’t add new software

Sora Integration:

Keep existing access
Add parent visibility through existing reports
Use built-in age filters
Don’t overcomplicate

Stress Reduction Strategies

For Librarians:

Block dedicated time for compliance work
Share the load with your team
Use templates for everything
Don’t personalize systemic issues

For Administrators:

Provide clear deadlines and expectations
Protect librarian time for compliance work
Handle political pressures at district level
Celebrate compliance milestones

For Teachers:

Provide simple, clear instructions
Give reasonable timelines
Offer support for inventory process
Don’t make them library experts

The One-Page Action Plan

Week 1: Set up folder structure, create team
Week 2: Build all templates
Week 3: Export main library catalog, begin review
Week 4: Launch classroom library inventory (simple form)
Month 2: Process first quarterly book acquisition batch
Month 3: Implement parent communication system
Ongoing: Monthly updates, quarterly batches, annual review

Remember: Progress Over Perfection

The goal isn’t to create a perfect system immediately. It’s to:

Meet legal requirements
Maintain educational quality
Preserve librarian sanity
Keep parents informed
Let teachers teach

Start with the basics, build gradually, and refine as you go. Most importantly, don’t let compliance consume your entire professional life. The students still need a functioning library and a librarian who isn’t burned out.

Librarians’ Account (Anonymized)

Please note that I’ve removed identifying details about the librarian, his campus, and district.

It is three o’clock in the morning, and I can’t sleep because my mind is replaying the no good, horrible, very bad week I had at work. It wasn’t bad because of the students (they were funny and inquisitive and were happy to talk about all the books with me). It wasn’t my co-workers (this school has the best staff – bar none). It wasn’t my district (still proud to be part of my school district). It was because this week, a law made over the summer in the Texas Senate had real, tangible effects on my day-to-day job. My guess is most people don’t know about SB 13, but I think it is something Texans need to be aware of, so I’m going to tell you about it.

First, it is helpful to know a little about what a school librarian does. Last year, I ordered 886 books for our school library. For each book that I purchased, I read at least two professional reviews. I reject about half of the books I review for purchase, meaning I read thousands of book reviews, and I do this each school year. I keep a district library handbook within reach during this process to ensure each book that goes on my list is in compliance. Additionally, I evaluate thousands of books each year for possible removal based on relevance, currency, condition, circulation stats, etc. A book written about AI in 2010 is no longer relevant. If an old classic is tearing at its binding, I remove it to replace it with one of those new, beautiful editions you’re always seeing at book stores these days (teens LOVE pretty books). Some books simply go out of vogue. A librarian “weeds” these books to make room for new books.

Most school librarians, including myself, have a Master’s degree and special School Librarian certification. In our graduate course work, we learn about collection development, cataloging, librarying programming, administration, and the law. So much law. A MLS (Masters in Library Science) is intense and it should be, because what we do is important and needs done well.

But now, under Senate Bill (SB) 13, all aspects of my job have changed. I can no longer order books without approval from a panel of parents called an LSLAC. Additionally, the orders I research so thoroughly must now be posted for public comment for thirty days before I can place them, meaning I can no longer develop my collection in a timely manner that responds directly to my student’s and staff’s needs. I can no longer remove an old, torn-up book from our collection without posting it online for thirty days for community feedback. Additionally, I am now personally responsible for every classroom library on our campus. Y’all, it’s a big school.

I could go on. There are pages and pages of law telling me that despite my education, I can’t be trusted. A panel without any training in library sciences must monitor every little choice I make. The public needs to study every book I might remove. And also, even though I can’t be trusted, I’m going to need to double my responsibilities.

After fully processing what SB 13 means for me, it amazes me how much power our legislature really has. They can excerpt tremendous control when they want to. And if you’re a parent and what keeps you up at night is worrying that your kid might one day be exposed to a book you don’t agree with, you may feel great about where the Texas Senate put their energy this summer.

But I don’t think that is what is keeping up parents at night. This week, I’m worried about various pressing issues facing families today. I’m worried about the guns, so many guns. I’m worried about AI barreling for our kids’ future jobs, and lawmakers twiddling their thumbs as it happens. And I can only imagine the worry of parents in a state where preventable diseases have affected children in the past year.

I could go on. After all, my brain doesn’t want me to sleep tonight. But the point is these are not the issues our legislature found most pressing. They made the choice that the biggest danger Texas children face are the books in my library. Sit with that for a moment.

Then ask yourself, is this what you want from our lawmakers? And if you’re so inclined, maybe say a prayer for your local school librarians. Because as we librarians grappled with all of this, we also learned that we do not get the raises passed for teachers this year. So we will take on all of this new responsibility and give up so much of what we love about our jobs while also getting paid less than our colleagues. Like I said, it was a bad week.

I want to end on a note of hope, but I’m not feeling it right now. What I can say is that come Tuesday morning, I will absolutely love looking around my library and seeing students reading books and whispering with their friends and getting an assignment done. I will help them print that paper for their old-school teacher who still wants a hard copy. I will preheat the laminator for the teacher who is stopping by during their planning period, and I will make sure the AC is running for the evening parent meeting in our AV room. I’m not sure why I’m considered the enemy by some, but I will keep doing my job to the best of my ability.

Librarian’s Misunderstandings About SB 13 Requirements

Based on careful analysis of SB 13’s actual text versus the librarian’s account, several key misunderstandings emerge:

Major Misunderstandings

1. 30-Day Posting Requirement for ALL Books

Librarian’s Understanding: “The orders I research so thoroughly must now be posted for public comment for thirty days before I can place them”

Actual Law: SB 13 does NOT require 30-day posting for routine book purchases. The law requires:

Library catalogs to be publicly available
A process for parent input through LSLAC (if one exists)
No mandatory waiting period for acquisitions specified in the law

2. 30-Day Posting for Removing Books

Librarian’s Understanding: “I can no longer remove an old, torn-up book from our collection without posting it online for thirty days for community feedback”

Actual Law: SB 13 does NOT require public posting before removing damaged or outdated books. The law addresses challenged materials but doesn’t prohibit routine weeding of collections.

3. LSLAC Approval Required for All Purchases

Librarian’s Understanding: “I can no longer order books without approval from a panel of parents called an LSLAC”

Actual Law:

LSLACs are OPTIONAL unless triggered by parent petition
Even when formed, LSLACs make recommendations, not binding decisions
The school board retains final authority
Many districts may never form an LSLAC

4. Personal Responsibility for Classroom Libraries

Librarian’s Understanding: “I am now personally responsible for every classroom library on Cooper’s campus”

Actual Law: While SB 13 requires classroom libraries to meet district standards, it doesn’t make librarians “personally responsible” in a liability sense. The law requires:

Classroom libraries comply with district standards
A system for inventory and review
Shared institutional responsibility, not personal liability

Possible Sources of Confusion

1. District Policy vs. State Law

The librarian may be conflating district-level policies with state requirements. Some districts have implemented procedures that go beyond what the law requires, possibly including:

30-day posting periods (district choice, not state mandate)
LSLAC pre-approval for all purchases (district interpretation, not required)
Excessive documentation requirements (district policy, not law)

2. Misinterpretation of “Transparency” Requirements

The law requires transparency (making catalogs available) but doesn’t mandate:

Pre-approval for routine purchases
Public comment periods for all decisions
Community veto power over professional decisions

3. Challenge Process Confusion

The librarian seems to believe the challenge process applies to ALL library activities, when it actually applies only to formally challenged materials.

What the Law Actually Requires

Core Requirements:

✅ Library catalogs must be publicly accessible
✅ Parents can access their child’s library records
✅ Parents can submit lists of materials they don’t want their child to access
✅ Districts must have a process for reviewing challenged materials
✅ Classroom libraries must meet district standards
✅ LSLAC formation IF triggered by parent petition

What’s NOT Required:

❌ 30-day posting for book purchases
❌ 30-day posting for routine weeding
❌ LSLAC approval for every book order
❌ Personal liability for librarians
❌ Immediate removal of all challenged books
❌ Public comment periods for routine decisions

Impact of These Misunderstandings

1. Unnecessary Stress

The librarian is experiencing stress from requirements that don’t actually exist in state law.

2. Operational Paralysis

Believing they need 30-day posting for everything would indeed make timely collection development impossible.

3. Misdirected Frustration

The anger toward state legislators may be partially misdirected if the most burdensome requirements are actually district-imposed.

Recommendations

For the Librarian:

Review the actual text of SB 13 and HB 900
Distinguish between state law and district policy
Seek clarification from district administration about which requirements are mandatory vs. local choices
Connect with librarians in other districts to compare implementation approaches

For Districts:

Ensure policies align with actual legal requirements
Avoid creating unnecessary bureaucracy beyond legal mandates
Provide clear communication about what’s legally required vs. district policy
Consider revising overly restrictive local interpretations

The Bottom Line

Many of the most stressful aspects the librarian describes are not actually required by state law. While SB 13 does create new requirements and oversight mechanisms, it doesn’t mandate the level of bureaucratic paralysis the librarian is experiencing. This suggests either significant misunderstanding of the law or excessive district-level implementation that goes beyond legal requirements.

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