Senate panel approves Nevada school library plan

CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) -- School districts could open their library doors to all Nevadans under a measure approved by a Senate panel on Monday.

If a district allowed public use of its bookshelves under AB407, any person with a library card could check out books during non-school hours.

The bill passed the Assembly 41-1 earlier this month and now heads to the full Senate.

Assemblyman Joe Hardy said Nevada needed the legislation "to do something to improve access to books and to reading."

The Boulder City Republican noted that libraries and schools approved a model, long-running Washoe County program. He added that his bill would help parents get involved with children.

Senators said they wanted to ensure that children had top priority at any school library. Hardy and several school librarians responded that would not be a problem.

The measure allows but does not require districts to set up their own joint-use libraries. School districts would be responsible for any costs incurred.