Government

Houston ISD to install self-checkout library kiosks to comply with state law

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August 15, 2025

The Houston Independent School District in Houston, Texas will install self-checkout library kiosks in the 2025-26 school year to comply with a recent state law, according to a Houston Chronicle report.

The kiosks, equipped with barcode scanners, will be integrated into the district's Access It Library Management system. The technology is being implemented to provide parents with access to their child's reading records, as required by the state's READER Act, according to district documents.

The move comes after the district's state-appointed leadership repurposed some libraries and reduced the number of school librarians.

The cost of the installation has not been disclosed by the district. While the kiosks aim to ensure equitable access, there have been mixed responses to fewer librarians.

"Certified school librarians are highly qualified and experienced educators who teach a variety of classes in the largest classroom on our school campuses," Wendy Woodland, spokesperson for the Texas Library Association, told the news outlet.