California school library service loses state funding

California lawmakers removed financial support for the Compass digital library service in the final state budget, a move that will end the program after July 1, 2027. The legislation redirects $5 million toward a new dyslexia screening tool and allocates $60,000 for technical support of an online lesson-sharing platform known as California Educators Together.

Lawmakers and budget committee staff did not provide reasons for the cut.

Librarians and education advocates are criticizing the decision, warning that the loss of Compass will harm students and widen educational gaps. Without the service, schools may turn to free online resources that often contain advertisements or track user data, potentially violating state privacy laws.

These free alternatives are also less likely to be verified for accuracy, which experts say is risky in the current digital landscape.

Retired librarian Connie Williams noted that lower-income districts will struggle to afford subscriptions, while wealthier schools might cover the costs independently. This shift comes as the state promotes media literacy, requiring schools to teach students how to evaluate information sources. Advocates are now contacting Governor Newsom and legislators to try to reverse the decision.

Source: Pleasanton Weekly.

Sources

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