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Wow! I want to thank everyone who sent replies, suggestions and ideas to my question about truancy and public libraries. You really gave me some 'food for thought' and I think we will be able to develop a policy for our public library using some of your ideas and also looking at the legal issues. I tried to reply back to everyone, but if I missed you, I apologize. I really do appreciate you taking the time to share your ideas and thoughts. One poster sent several great websites that had lots of information: http://www.rightintexas.com/2009/01/who-needs-truancy-laws-we-have-daytime.h tml http://www.lib.wayne.edu/geninfo/policies/safety/general/truant.php http://www.webjunction.org/patron-services-policies/resources/discussion/429 0202 http://blog.librarylaw.com/librarylaw/2006/03/truant_kids_in_.html I have included the responses in an attachment. It is quite lengthy and I wasn't sure if the listserv will accept attachments, so if you don't have an attachment and you would like for me to send it to you, please contact me. Our meeting is on March 16 and I will let you know if I receive any additional information. The general consensus is that the truant officer cannot ticket the head librarian or anyone working in the library for failing to handle a truancy situation. What if the student isn't truant. What if they are out on break or being homeschooled? Once response voiced my feelings to the issue: Gary Paulsen tells how a librarian saved his life. His parents were alcoholics and he was left to fend for himself and befriended a librarian who "saved his life". I think I would try to find out the exact time that these kids are in your library. Is it truly during the school day or do they have early release and wind up at your library. I do not believe you can be ticketed for anything. You are a public facility. I don't think a truant officer can restrict who is in your library...their job is to only make sure that the kids come to school. Our school district has a legal department (Conroe ISD) It seems to me that you might need to contact someone in the district legal department or the state board of education to see exactly what your obligations are. No child should be excluded from a public library...it might be the only refuge they have. Pam Pamela McGhee, Librarian District Library Coordinator Brownwood High School 2100 Slayden Brownwood, TX 76801 325-646-9549 325-643-1965 (fax) pamela.mcghee@brownwoodisd.org "It is our choices that show what we truly are far more than our abilities." Professor Dumbledore to Harry Potter "This e-mail contains the thoughts and opinions of Pam McGhee and does not represent official Brownwood ISD policy." CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This e-mail message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information or otherwise be protected by law. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original message. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law. You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book. 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/ * LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/ * EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://lm-net.info/ * LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html * LM_NET Wiki: http://lmnet.wikispaces.com/ --------------------------------------------------------------------