Re: the studyhall syndrome

[Betty Dawn Hamilton <bhamilt@TENET.EDU>]

On Thu, 1 Dec 1994, Doug Johnson wrote:
>
>         How does one keep a (secondary) media center from becoming
>         a studyhall, recreation area, or dumping ground for students?
>
> This seems like a fairly common problem (and a good question). At least it
> was a battle I seemed to fight over and over in my 12 years as a building
> media specialist. I have a few thoughts about the problem, but I believe
> LM_Net could discuss this for our mutual beneft.

Great suggestion, Doug.  I have devised passes of different kinds that
require *my* signature, the principal/AP signature, a teacher's
signature, and so far none seems to resolve the problem.  My *biggest*
problem is having teachers who do not understand library use themselves
bring whole classes for a SPUR-OF-THE-MOMENT "orientation" for some
future assignment that he/she is thinking about.  I had TWO of those
yesterday and the library was already full of students!

Rather than seem abrupt and risk making an enemy of the teacher (new,
inexperienced), I gave them a quick overview and explained that Ms. ___ and I
would get together and plan so they could find everything when they come
for "the assignment."  Now ... to get her back in here by herself for the
planning!

I'm looking forward to seeing how others handle the problem.

Betty