PSJA board approves library purchases procedure under Texas SB 13 after first public review

The Pharr‑San Juan‑Alamo Independent School District board on Oct. 27 approved the district’s lists of proposed new library materials and the procedures the district used to comply with Senate Bill 13, a new state law that requires public posting and school board review of new library acquisitions.

Amy Marquez, director for library services, told trustees the district posted proposed titles on the Library Services web page for 30 days — Sept. 5 through Oct. 5 — and held a recorded Library Materials Review Committee meeting with the required 72‑hour notice. “SB 13 involves any new materials added to the library catalog, whether purchased or donated. They have to follow certain requirements,” Marquez said, noting that titles already in the district catalog do not require board approval.

Marquez said committee members included certified librarians representing elementary, middle and high schools and that the materials lists included ISBN, title, author, reading level, Dewey number, copyright and language. She also said parents can use the Destiny Parent Portal to view their child’s checkouts and place restrictions on specific titles. “Parents do have access to the catalog,” she said, and staff provided directions in English and Spanish.

Trustees asked about committee membership, the district’s weeding and replacement practices, and whether parental representatives could be added to future review steps. Marquez said librarians follow standard weeding procedures and replace high‑demand titles when necessary, and she agreed to consider parent representation and additional feedback mechanisms.

Trustee Diana Gutierrez moved to approve the posted lists and the SB 13 process; the motion was seconded and passed. Marquez said orders could arrive on campuses beginning in December and that the library materials committee will reconvene in February to compile next year’s list.

The board’s approval covers new titles that were not previously in PSJA’s district catalog; replacement copies of already‑cataloged titles do not require school board action under the district’s interpretation of the law.

The action was taken as part of the curriculum and instruction agenda and was presented publicly by the library director.