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Susan - I'm at a small school so I can't speak for every situation, but I found that saying yes to as much as feasible helps. Break the boundaries of what the library is perceived to be and welcome everything in...music, gatherings, meetings, exhibits, so that everyone in the school gets to see the place. Make sure what they see is warm, inviting and helpful, a place they want to return to. As much as possible, don't close at lunch and don't lock up at the end of the last period. I have trivia games and chess during lunch, and students may bring food in (the deal is they are careful with it and clean up...so far, so good). I'm not crazy about spending time in the teacher's room anyway. I'd rather spend time teaching the kids something and getting them used to the library as the place to be. There's a wide variety of quick stuff you can do with them. I ask them about current events, what they've heard on the news, what they're watching on TV, their personal interests, etc., while playing games. The conversation flows more easily if it's incidental. Let them bring things in to show you. I have kids who bring in guitars to play. One is bringing in his new bike as soon as it comes in. Another is bringing in his new paintball equipment. Anything they mention to you, invite them to bring it in if possible. They may not want to bother, but they'll remember the invitation. Have something going on often so that the library is included in the morning and afternoon announcements at least once or twice a week, even if it's to announce you're open at lunch for games, or looking for overdue books, or to announce upcoming events. Keep the library in everyone's mind constantly. Keep the collection as current as the budget will allow so that people see new stuff all the time. When my money runs low, I go to the public library, borrow THEIR copies of shiny new YA books for a month and circulate them until I can afford to buy my own copies. Music, comfortable chairs and floor cushions, warm lighting, soft music, and most of all, answers to everyone's questions. Best wishes - Steve Steve Patnode Grades 7-12 SLMS Chazy Central Rural School Chazy, NY 12921 sun85@aol.com -------------------------------------------------------------------- All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law. To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL 3) SET LM_NET MAIL 4) SET LM_NET DIGEST * Allow for confirmation. LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/ EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://elann.biglist.com/el-announce/ LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html --------------------------------------------------------------------