Between the Pages

Is your district falling for the "Software Trap"? Learn why AI and vendor tools aren't enough for SB 13 compliance and how to build a defensible Fortress Library.

2025 was hard for a lot of reasons. Among those was the changes the Texas government made to the laws governing public education as a whole and public school library collections in specific. To say that SB13 has dominated my time and mind for this school year is an understatement. Using a dedicated time/task tracker has proven beyond doubt with concrete data just how much my library program has changed. For instance, by the mid-year mark I normally would have met with two classes a week on average doing various lessons, projects, and research topics. Last semester I saw one class about every two weeks. This change is upsetting because it feels so unnecessary. Students on my campus are actively being denied access to library time in their classes so I can dedicate large swaths of my time to ensuring that my campus is not the reason my school district is out of compliance with the law. Unnecessary because we do have strong collection development policies that we hold to and we are all trained education professionals who know our communities and have built solid collections that serve and maintain both. So, the resolutions. What can I do to be more positive and proactive this year within the confines of these new laws? Here are the three things I have decided on: Be informed and aware of the laws and potential changes on the horizon. Take an active role in helping others understand these laws and how to comply and serve stakeholders. To advocate on behalf of libraries and librarians to show all the awesome ways we serve all of our patrons. Curated Consulting is here to help you make resolutions about your own libraries. Please reach out to us to schedule consultations or trainings. Here’s to a happy and productive 2026!