Re: the studyhall syndrome

[Copiague High School <chslib@TRANSIT.NYSER.NET>]

You have an administrative problem when students are actually assigned to
the library as a study hall; you have no library!  Your administrators
have to realize this.  Do you have the support of the staff?  Surely they
know the library can't be used for research, lessons, etc., when it is a
dumping ground.
In my own situation (a 9-12 high school), I control who and how many come
in to the library, but I have a supportive principal.  Study hall
teachers are given "quota sheets" that specify the number of students
permitted in the library that day for that period from each study hall.
Students sign the sheets and arrive en masse with them.  Stragglers or
"extras" return to whence they came.  Students from lunch may come to the
library only with special passes that we printed up--large, bright papers
with the period number on it (each period gets a different color, and the
papers are laminated for durability).  Fifteen passes are issued, and
each is individually numbered.  The student signs out of the lunchroom
and then signs in at the library.  During class time, a teacher may send
up to five students to work in the library, but the operative word is
work.  I do not accept anyone who has nothing to do, or who cannot tell
me his/her assignment.  When I have a class scheduled to use the library,
it is closed to study halls and lunchroom, except for special
circumstances (my decision).
This was not the case when I started this job, three years ago.  But I
sat down with the principal and talked about what my job is all about and
what the library is all about.  Fortunately, he agreed.  And I believe
the faculty is supportive of my efforts to build a good program.
Joyce Smith
Copiague HS
Copiague, NY