Federal Clearinghouse on Book Access

(a) Establishment The Secretary, in coordination with each of the Federal agencies listed in section 6(a), shall establish a Federal Clearinghouse on Book Access that shall— (1) identify, collect, and evaluate evidence-based strategies, programs, and interventions that have been shown to have a significant effect on children accessing qualified literacy materials and improving literacy outcomes for children and families living in book deserts; and (2) provide guidance, toolkits, and technical resources to States, local educational agencies, health professionals, libraries, and nonprofit organizations seeking to expand book access in book deserts. (b) Information To include The Federal Clearinghouse on Book Access shall ensure the guidance, toolkits, and technical resources provided under subsection (a) include, to the extent practicable, the following information: (1) The strength of the evidence that the guidance, toolkit, or technical resource expands book access and increases literacy outcomes. (2) The populations that were served in the programs that are the bases for the guidance, toolkit, or technical resource, along with where the populations are located, such as urban, suburban, or rural areas. (3) Implementation models for the programs described in paragraph (2), such as whether the programs were school-based, library-based, health care-based, or community-based approaches. (4) Cost considerations of implementation. (5) Demonstrated literacy outcomes in the programs described in paragraph (2). (6) Findings and data from previous Federal or State commissions recommending improvements to book access and increasing literacy outcomes. (7) Other supportive evidence or findings relied upon by the Clearinghouse, in consultation with Federal agencies listed in section 6(a), in identifying evidence-based strategies, programs, and interventions, as described in subsection (a)(1). (c) Consistency with civil rights The guidance, toolkits, and technical resources provided by the Clearinghouse shall be consistent with Federal civil rights laws, including title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12131 et seq.), the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 701 et seq.), and title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq.). (d) Consultation In identifying the evidence-based strategies, programs, and interventions for the Federal Clearinghouse on Book Access, the Secretary shall consult with— (1) literacy researchers and experts; and (2) State educational agencies, local educational agencies, early childhood education providers, community-based and nonprofit literacy groups focused on book access and literacy development, libraries, health providers, educators, and school administrators. (e) Administration (1) In general The Federal Clearinghouse on Book Access shall be assigned such personnel and resources as the Secretary considers appropriate to carry out this section. (2) Detail The heads of each of the Federal agencies listed in section 6(a) may detail personnel to the Federal Clearinghouse on Book Access. (f) Production and publication of materials The Secretary may produce and publish materials identified, collected, and evaluated by the Federal Clearinghouse on Book Access to assist and train early childhood, educational, health care, law enforcement, and workforce agencies on the implementation of the evidence-based strategies, programs, and interventions for literacy development and enhancing access to books. (g) Collection of data, feedback, and evaluations For the purpose of continuous improvement of the Federal Clearinghouse on Book Access, the Secretary shall collect— (1) Clearinghouse data analytics; (2) user feedback on the implementation of evidence-based strategies, programs, and interventions identified by the Clearinghouse; and (3) any evaluations conducted on implementation of the evidence-based strategies, programs, and interventions. (h) Rule of construction Nothing in this section shall be construed to require State educational agencies or local educational agencies to adopt the evidence-based strategies, programs, and interventions identified pursuant to subsection (a).