circulation systems

[Johanna Halbeisen Rebecca Johnson School]

Dear LM-Netters, I need some help.  I am a new librarian in a brand new
school, a K-8 with 1,000 kids.  My current circulation system is clumsy and
I am wondering if there are changes I could make (or if there's a new one
worth switching to).  The number of books kids take out depends on their
grade (k-2 have one, 3-5 have two, 6-8 have three).  They can take out new
books when they bring the current ones back, giving incentive to return
books.  We don't have overdue fines (most of the kids are in low-income
families).  I have a system of name cards that helps me, the kids and
teachers keep track of who took what book, the card has name, grade and room
number on it and stays in the book until it is checked in.  I file the book
cards by class.  The main problem is books for which we can't find cards.
Another problem is the time it takes to pull name cards and put the book
cards back in (I guess I was spoiled last year with an automated system).
Does anyone have another system in a school of similar size, staffing
 and age-range? The kids' access to the library is limited, partly due to schedu
 le and
partly due to staffing.  I am the only library staff.  No aide.  Only
volunteers who can be terrific, but cannot be counted on to run the
program. Due to schedule problems, I have not figured out how to get
reliable student help, either.   Thanks!