Thanks again to everyone who had advice about repairing or replacing
books. All your stories about damage, repairs, and book care lessons
reminded me of something that happened a year or so ago ...
The best book care lesson I ever taught was completely accidental. I
had chosen one of my favorite picture books to read to a group of 3rd
graders, but when I tried to open the book I discovered that the edge of
Page 1 was stuck firmly to the edge of Page 2! I carefully tried to
pry them apart, but the process damaged both pages, and the tearing
sound was noticeable. I continued reading the story, but every single
page was stuck to the next one, and the damaged area became larger on
every page. The students responded with dismay every time I had to tear
a page to unstick it. By the end of the book, the stuck area
encompassed several square inches, including the text. Peeling the
pages apart obliterated the words, so we couldn't even finish reading
the story. The whole experience really made an impression on the kids -
they were horrified! I think that particular group still takes better
than average care of their books. It was an unintended lesson, but so
effective that I've considered setting it up again some time, using a
to-be-weeded book and a bit of Elmer's glue.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
I look at the amount of damage vs the value of the book. A student
checked out a popular book recently, and brought it back within two
minutes to show me several pages that were falling out. I tried gluing
the pages in and told her to pick it up in the morning. She did, and
shortly afterward told me that there were even more pages that needed
help. I told her that she would be the last one to read that particular
copy. I'm not going to charge her anything for it, because it looks to
me like normal wear and tear.
I've withdrawn books that would have been candidates to be weeded based
on age and circulation except for the fact that someone checked the book
out (and then damaged it). I generally weed books that are over 15 years
old and haven't circulated within the past five years. If the only
circulation within five years it the current one, and the student
damages the book, I generally just call it normal wear and tear - UNLESS
the damage is obviously intentional. In that case I'd consult with the
principal about the appropriate punishment (which would probably be some
monetary fine and ISS.)
Since I deal with kids in grades 5-12 I don't have to factor in the age
of the student, since anyone using my library can be assumed to know how
to care for a book. I am not a book repair facility, so repairs that I
do are pretty limited - book tape on the covers, gluing pages back in,
taping torn pages is about the limit of what I do, and if the book is
pretty well worn out anyway I don't worry about it.
* * * *
If we are able (within our limited means) to repair it, we do, without
charging the student.
If it's too wet, and mold will form, or the cover is unrecognizable, or
too many pages ruined, we charge half the cost of replacing the book.
* * * *
It's sometimes hard for me to decide. It often depends on how new a
book is. If something comes back that's obviously been wet, I charge
for it even if it's dry now, because I wouldn't let a book with wavy
pages circulate, partly because I also feel like students will be less
careful if the books they borrow look too damaged. If someone's little
sibling has written in it, but it's just on the flyleaf or something,
I'll write "Damage noted" and the date next to the problem area to
assure the next borrower that I know it was already damaged when they
borrowed it. Teeth marks, dog or ?, usually mean I charge for the book,
even if the cover but not the text is damaged. I usually base the charge
on the age of the book and whether I would replace it. If the book is
to be discarded, I mark it as such and give it to the student when
payment is received.
* * * *
We charge for any damage and the amount depends on how much damage is
done. If it needs to be replaced, we charge the full replacement price.
We have a lot of books returned that have been crammed in lockers and
have lots of bent pages and covers. We charge for that also. I think
students need to know that they are responsible for taking care of a
book. Of couse, if it is older and the damage looks just like age
problems I do not charge. It is all subjective.
* * * *
Please share the responses you get... we have been so frustrated this
year with what has been happening to our books. We have had too many
instances this year where a brand new book, checked out for the first
time has come back damaged... a page torn in half, a water warped and
all stuck together, scribbles on the pages from a sibling who got a hold
of the book... they may not be unusable, but they certainly aren't the
brand new books that we just checked out to these kids... and every time
it happens, we go over book care with the class of the offender, but it
does not seem to have had an effect. We have also tried making a
notation on the record of the children who did the damage, so that we
can track if they are "repeat offenders"... that way, even if we didn't
charge for what seemed like minor damage at the time, if it kept
happening, we'd have a record or it.
* * * *
If the damage to the spine or cover is significant, I send the book home
with a bill and let the student keep the book, but I do ask the parent
if they don't want it, to return it so I can share it during Orientation
as to what happens when: new puppies find the book under the kitchen
table, pink yogurt opens up inside a backpack, etc. It is of course
withdrawn from the inventory records.
I spend a lot of time teaching and reinforcing the correct way of
turning pages, correct treatment of books, correct method of
reshelving/use of shelfmarkers, use of bookmarks (I always try to have
free ones - just strips of paper from the work room if I don't have
nicer ones), no books left on the floor (I have one with two pages w/
holes torn from the middle of the page - shoe skid marks), etc. I make a
big emphasis on the fact that these books belong "to ALL of us" -
students, teachers/staff, including myself, and are the gift of the
taxpayers - their parents (well, hopefully. . .) and that the books need
to be kept nice for the students who follow them for years to come. For
the younger ones, this is a real thought-provoker. I also hold up a
newer book, and an old yucky one, and ask them which would they rather
have to read. This helps make the connection that each of them have to
be responsible. I have a small bookmark attached to my scanner stand
that says "Report Hurt Books to the Librarian" (or something like that).
The kids do let me know usually right away when they find any problems.
I do remind them at Orientation that the computer "remembers" who had
the book
I would really try to get the books with binding damage replaced by the
parents. Otherwise the library does begin to look very shabby and it's
just human nature to care less about worn out stuff. Adults who visit
the library are also going to have a less than positive response, even
it they're not aware of it. In addition, people will have more regard
for you if you are the person in charge of a nice looking collection.
Again, that's just human nature. Pages mended inside aren't as
significant. I am going to borrow books from the public library to color
copy their pictures to repair a few of our books with damage. I don't
think there's any problem with copyright since I'm just mending
something I've already paid for, not creating something new. A Demco
representative showed us how to use Norbond and silk paper to mend
invisibly (better even than invisible tape, though perhaps not as
strong).
When to draw the line and bill for book: when the binding is damaged
beyond minor mending or will always look shabby with mending, or if
title is damaged/obscured. If pages are missing or damage is significant
(part of index gone? dictionary page? part of a book that kids will do
an AR test on?) enough to render book useless (unless the damage can be
reasonably repaired somehow). I used to charge $1 per printed page or $2
for a photo page (could be more now) if the loss did not render book
useless. If book ends up not closing properly, etc. get it replaced.
* * * *
My line is kind of wavy. I've cleaned up books and put them back of the
shelf because they were practically new. Kids don't seem to understand
the concept of paying a fine for damages, so sometimes I collect a
dollar or two, or replacement cost if the book really can't be used and
is a popular title. Other times I just let it go. Early in the year I
show kids "the pudding book", the "banana book" (you know how squishy a
ripe banana can get in a bookbag?), the stinky flood book (that one
isn't back on the shelf) and the dog-bite book. Sadly, my collection of
"bad things that happen to good books" keeps growing, and so does my
lost book file. It seems as if I'll never catch up--I'm always too busy
replacing.
* * * *
I think you're right on target!!
* * * *
For negligence or intentional damage (not normal wear-and-tear), look at
the book as if it were a donation. Would you accept it and put it on
your shelf in that condition? If the answer is no then replace it and
charge the student. If the book can be repaired then the amount of time
required to fix it should be factored. If it takes my aide 20 minutes
to fix it that is about $5
For us, any book that gets wet is discarded. They almost always get
moldy and that is a health risk to the next kid who checks it out.
* * * *
One thing I do for students who have damaged or lost more than one book
is
to let them borrow books from the swap shelf until the library materials
are
paid for.
* * * *
I remember one instance, a child -- 3rd grade or so -- had out a very
over due book. When questioned, she said it was at the other parent's
home (a common occurrence in these days with divorced parents) . She
said when she switched homes the following week, she would retrieve
it. The book did come back the following week (in the book drop ) ,
but smelled a bit funny, and was slightly damp... I called the
school nurse in to investigate (and confirm my suspicions) ... and
yes, the book had been urinated on. I placed the book in a
ziploc bag, and called the child out of class. She said the cat
was sick, and pee'd on the book. I gave her the lecture of taking
responsibility, and telling me when something happens to the book,
blah blah blah. I called home to confirm the child's story, and it
turns out the aging cat had a kidney infection and was relieving
herself all over the house. I sent the book home, in the ziploc
bag, with a note requesting they end in a check to replace the book,
and that they could keep the book, as I di not want it back in my
library!
I generally follow my gut... if the child/parent is honest and
remorseful, or sends me a note with the damaged book and offers to
pay immediately I may let some damage/loss go ... but when the child
will not own up to the damage/loss, tries to hide/deny the loss/
damage, or if it is a popular or new book, then I bill the family for
the replacement/repair costs.
I have a situation now of a student suddenly removed from the home
and placed in foster care. the student's books are at their original
home, but the child has no access to them. I am continuing to let the
child borrow one book at a time, and so far, all the books the child
has borrowed since the change in residence have come back without a
problem. The missing books are several series paperbacks, so I'm
letting it go.
* * * *
I want to believe that I professionaly evaluate individual situations.
Here are a few examples:
All the paperbacks in our library were "free" books from the book
fairs. When one comes back damaged it's not too bad - 1) A student
walks into the library and sadly explains that the book got soaked in
his backpack or hold the book in two pieces explaining that she's sorry
her desk was just too packed. Then, I just say thank you for being
honest. I'll take care of it. I quietly throw the book away thankful
that the students did what I instructed, "Always be honest and tell me
when a book gets damaged." 2) Student dumps off a book in the book
return, and it's in shreds but the student says nothing. I check in the
book, and the student is still in the library looking for another book.
I'm not a happy librarian and I ask "What happened to this book." Oh I
do hope they don't say "It was like that when I checked it out."
Honest students don't pay for paperbacks. Dishonest one are charged.
When it is a hard back book I also consider individual situations.
Trade hardbacks often don't last long and sometimes I don't make
students pay for the damaged book (5 years old; 25+ checkouts.) We
probably got out money's worth out of it.
When the dog eats the book I ask them to pay for it.
When they are blatantly irresponsible and show no remorse I ask them
to pay for it.
* * * *
I don't think there are any hard and fast rules. ALL of these things
come
into play. If a book comes in still wet, it isn't going back on the
shelf
because of mold issues. If a few pages are wrinkled, but dry, no
problem.
Sometimes I will keep a book to use in lessons about book care at the
beginning of
the year, but they are not put back on the shelf. I don't charge for
these.
If someone has hard and fast rules, I'd like to know, too :-)
* * * *
Sara Reinders, LMS
Ada Christian School
Ada, MI
sreinders@adachristian.org
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