In this subtitle, “digital content” means any online information subscription database and electronic resource applicable to the Maryland PreK–12 curriculum.

The General Assembly finds that: Technology applications can propel the State’s schools into immediate and dramatic reform without which the State will not meet the ambitious No Child Left Behind goals, the Department’s Strategic Plan, or the Department’s Technology Plan; Access to appropriate high quality digital content supports the preparation of the State’s students for the current and future workforce with the knowledge and skills necessary for the success of and the socioeconomic benefit to the State; Providing equitable access to digital content for the State’s students and educators helps to prepare students to pursue high–level careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics for the good of the State and the nation; Creative uses of technology can provide an environment where students are challenged through rigorous, relevant learning experiences that address the learning styles of each student; and There is a need to provide equitable access to high quality digital content across districts and schools through the Internet and through developing technologies.

There is a MDK12 Digital Library in the Department.

The purposes of the MDK12 Digital Library are to: Provide equitable access to digital content for all Maryland K–12 students and educators; Improve school library programs with advanced digital technologies; Create fiscal efficiencies in the purchase of digital content through enhanced cooperation among schools and the Department; and Support effective teaching and learning by connecting digital content with the Maryland content standards, workforce development, and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics initiatives.

The MDK12 Digital Library is a purchasing consortium for the acquisition of digital content. The MDK12 Digital Library shall be administered by a steering committee that consists of: One representative from each member local school system; One representative from the Department; and One individual selected by member private nonprofit schools to represent all member private nonprofit schools. Each representative from each of the member local school systems shall be a school library administrator or the designee of a school library administrator. The steering committee shall: Establish criteria to evaluate and select digital content; Make a good faith estimate of the digital content that they intend to purchase under each bid and provide the estimate to the Department by the date requested; Collect and analyze usage data to report on program effectiveness and determine professional development requirements; Request and award bids for the purchase and distribution of digital content to acquire better pricing through volume purchases; and Identify vendors of digital content. Subject to paragraph (4) of this subsection, members of the MDK12 Digital Library may include the public school systems of the State and private nonprofit schools that are approved by the Department. The MDK12 Digital Library members shall agree to: Report digital content usage data to the steering committee; Solely utilize the pricing agreements established by the steering committee; Not place independent orders with identified vendors for prices less than those negotiated by the steering committee; and Notify the steering committee and the Department if a vendor verbally or by writing offers a better price than that negotiated by the steering committee. The State Board and the State Superintendent shall encourage local school systems and member private nonprofit schools to: Provide professional development for school librarians and other educators to effectively use digital content in teaching and learning; Support student use of digital content through school libraries in collaboration with classroom and resource teachers; Promote the availability of digital content to students, educators, and parents; and Instruct students and educators how to access digital content. The MDK12 Digital Library may develop programs to support all residents of the State in collaboration with the State Library Resource Center under § 23–201 of this article and the Maryland Digital Library under § 11–801 of this article. The Department shall employ one half–time position to coordinate the MDK12 Digital Library. On or before October 1 of each year, the MDK12 Digital Library Steering Committee shall submit a report regarding the financial status and operations of the MDK12 Digital Library during the prior fiscal year to the Department.