HCISD pauses reading app, book fairs after school library law takes effect

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Senate Bill 13, which passed during the regular legislative session this year and went into effect on September 1, is meant to address concerns lawmakers had about school library materials.

The comprehensive law reaffirmed parents' rights to have access to library materials their children are viewing, established rules on the book-buying process that school districts must follow, and provided for the formation of Library Advisory Councils, among other provisions.

The law also applies to the mobile apps that students use. Now, at least one district is limiting student access to those platforms.

“It allows children to go beyond whatever they check out at the library. So sometimes you have some really great readers who go beyond the 1, to 2, to 3 books they can check out a week,” said Noelia Barrera, the mother of a student in the Harlingen school district and a member of the Parent Teacher Association, both at her child's school and with the city.

In a statement from HCISD, a spokesperson wrote they're committed to providing reading materials that meet current state legislative requirements.

The statement goes on to read, in part, “In alignment with Texas Senate Bill 13, and out of an abundance of caution, we have temporarily paused in-school access to the free version of Epic Reading App."

The spokesperson added that Harlingen CISD had also paused hosting Scholastic Book Fairs, calling the pause "precautionary," and not a reflection on the value of the programs. It should be noted that the Scholastic Book Fair website lists two upcoming fairs at Harlingen schools, but the spokesperson stated that the dates had been set automatically and confirmed they had been cancelled.

The Texas Education Agency, Texas Association of School Districts and Texas Library Association have all provided guidance or information about the law to districts statewide. The Texas American Federation of Teachers has also voiced its opposition to SB13, writing that, "for educators and librarians, the bill raises serious concerns about vague requirements, censorship, delays in access to educational resources, and the politicization of library collections." 

According to the law, parents must have the ability to restrict their child's access to library materials. Guidance issued by the Texas Education Agency recommends that all digital platforms have an opt-out feature that parents can use.

Barrera said she understands why HCISD would decide to pause access to the reading app and book fairs. She said it's her understanding that, at this point, the district felt it couldn't review all the available titles. But she worries about any barriers children might face if they want to read more than schools mandate.

“Research shows that the more that children read, the better they do on tests, and we don’t have to teach to a test. Their critical thinking goes up, their problem-solving, and their ability to take one situation and put it into another. Reading is really, I think, the key to learning all other subjects.”

Lawmakers left implementation of the law up to individual school districts. While Harlingen has decided to pause its reading app, other districts have chosen to keep them going.

Both the Brownsville and La Joya school districts told ValleyCentral they're still letting students use similar third-party apps.

A statement from La Joya ISD reads, in part, "These digital platforms have not been banned under Senate Bill 13. However, we ensure that the titles available through them align with the approved book lists."

School districts are also now required to post a complete list of books they're planning to acquire, whether they're purchased or donated. A complete list of all library materials a district is planning to buy must be posted for 30 days before school trustees vote on whether to go ahead with any purchases.

Individual districts also have the option to set up School Library Advisory Councils to review proposed materials and make recommendations to the school board. SLAC's aren't mandatory, but can be established if enough community members sign a petition to create one. According to the provision of the law establishing SLAC's, councils shall be established, "if the parents of
at least 10 percent of the students enrolled in the district or 50 or more parents of students enrolled in the district, whichever is fewer."

Barrera recommended parents join the PTA at their children's school and build relationships with the administration.

“We need to ask more questions," Barrera said. "Send those emails if you’re concerned, because at the end of the day, we all just want what’s best for children.”