Bill
SB 248
Public schools must publish a searchable online catalog of all print, digital library and instructional materials with title, author, and ISBN.
Status / Key dates
- Introduced: January 30, 2025.
- Current status (per the file): "Pursuant to Joint Standing Rule No. 14.3.1, no further action allowed."
(This indicates the measure is not moving forward in the 2025 session.)
Purpose
- Require every public school to establish and maintain a publicly accessible, electronic catalog listing (a) all print and digital materials available in the school library and (b) all instructional materials used as part of the school curriculum. The intent is to increase transparency and public access to information about materials used and held by schools.
Major provisions
- Electronic catalog required: Each public school must post a searchable, downloadable list on a school-maintained website.
- Required item data: Each listed item must be identified by title, author, and International Standard Book Number (ISBN); schools may include additional identifiers as appropriate.
- Scope:
- "Instructional material" = any print or digital material provided to a pupil or used in the classroom as part of the curriculum (explicitly excludes academic tests/assessments and audiovisual materials).
- "Print material" = books, graphic novels, pamphlets, magazines, newspapers, periodicals, and other written materials (including visual depictions).
- "School library" = any area inside a public school containing library books and other materials.
- Ongoing maintenance: The list must be updated as needed to accurately reflect holdings and instructional materials.
- Fiscal provision: The bill states NRS 354.599 does not apply to any additional local government expenses arising from this act — i.e., implementation costs are not automatically reimbursed by the State (an unfunded mandate provision).
Who is affected
- Public schools and districts (responsible for creating/maintaining the catalog and posting it online).
- School librarians and administrative/IT staff (administration, data entry, website publishing).
- Parents, students, teachers, researchers, and the general public (greater access to and transparency about school materials).
- Potentially vendors/publishers (more frequent public identification of their materials).
Potential impacts and considerations
- Administrative and technical workload: schools must inventory holdings, collect ISBN/metadata, maintain a searchable/downloadable web interface, and update lists regularly.
- Fiscal: Local costs for staff time, database/website development, and ongoing maintenance are likely — the bill’s explicit non‑application of NRS 354.599 suggests no required state reimbursement.
- Transparency benefits: easier public review of library and curricular materials; may support parental engagement, procurement oversight, and complaint/review processes handled elsewhere.
Procedural note
- Because the bill was introduced in 2025 but the status indicates no further action allowed under Joint Standing Rule No. 14.3.1, stakeholders should confirm whether the measure will be reintroduced in a future session or whether similar provisions will be pursued via regulation or other legislation.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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