Data collection and reporting on school libraries

(a) Data collection The Secretary of Education shall direct the National Center for Education Statistics to biennially collect data on elementary school and secondary school libraries. (b) Elements The data collected biennially under subsection (a) shall include— (1) the number and percentage of elementary schools and secondary schools in each State that have dedicated school library facilities located on the grounds of the school and the square footage of each such library facility; (2) the number and percentage of schools counted under paragraph (1) that employ at least one full-time State-certified school librarian; and (3) with respect to each elementary school and secondary school library— (A) the number of State-certified school librarians; (B) the number of additional school library staff; (C) the number and types of physical collections or assets; (D) the number and types of virtual collections or databases the school library has access to; (E) the number and types of student use devices managed by school library staff; (F) the amount of time State-certified school librarians spend planning with teachers and instructing students; (G) the amount of time State-certified school librarians spend planning with and providing professional development for teachers; and (H) other pertinent information that the Secretary of Education determines is important in order to support effective school libraries. (c) Report to congress Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this section and every 2 years thereafter, the Secretary of Education shall submit to Congress a report that includes the data collected under this section. (d) Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary for each fiscal year.