LM_NET: Library Media Networking
These are some of the replies that I got to my question on end of year
procedures in schools. I thought that the entire group would be interested
since this is a problem that many school librarians are getting ready to
face at this time of year.
Madeline Buchanan, Barrett Elementary, Birmingham, Alabama
dems105@uabdpo.dpo.uab.edu
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Good Morning Madeline,
As a district supervisor, I can assure you that this is a big
issue every year with librarians in elemetary schools.
If you have a district coordinator, ask that a memo be sent
to principals suggesting a "cut off" date for borrowing and
classes. I find that most principals comply. I ask for borrow-
ing to stop three weeks before the end of the year, and
classes two weeks before.
You are correcct to assume that teachers often resent this
because the end of the year is a time when the school is going
wild, and the librarian is seen to be "counting books" in
a calm situation. Here is a strategy that worked for me when
I was school-based and still works for some of my staff.
The end of the year is a time for lots of outings and special
events. Volunteer to accompany the classes a couple of times.
The teachers appeciate the help and the LMC is left alone while
you do your inventory etc. Another idea is to take your
classses outside or to go to the classroom.
Hope this helps.
Sara MacRae. Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. smacrae@fox.nstn.ns.ca
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Hello, I am also interested in the responses you get on this question.
My biggest problem is because I am "planning time" for the teachers I
do not get any time at all extra to do the inventory. I had hopes of
combining the classes in June because I usually stop circulating books
the first week and either read and/or show av rather than skills.
But if I do that then it will effect the other specials...so I'm not
sure what to do. My son's school (which is different than mine) actually
gets to close the library in June---no classes, no circulation---to do
inventory. Of course, he has flexible scheduling. Let me know any ideas
you get, I'd be greatful. Thanks. Mary
Mary P. Sundberg hp_dial@midyork.lib.ny.us
Media Specialist Director/Librarian
North Bay Elementary Holland Patent Free Library
North Bay, NY 12123 Holland Patent, NY 13354
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My library is not automated. My teachers scream bloody murder every year.Last
year the Principal arranged for one of the aides to cover classes. My kids sto
p getting books the first week in June. It takes me all that time to get
things back. Ha. While they are on field trips and sitting outside watching
the kids play I am trying to get caught up. Of course I let anyone who needs
books or materials take them right up to the last day. Last year I had some
wonderful helpers. Some middle school kids from a private school came in to
help. They were life savers. I am usually in school for about a week after it
closes finishing up.Teachers are sitting in the teachers room visiting. Do I
sound upset ? The schedule committee for our school is trying to add six
classes to all special area schedules they claim we don"t have the same
contact time with students as regular teachers. They love my program and
service and say I do so much for them but when push comes to shove a free
period wins out over everything.One teacher even figured out that with my
new schedule and the free time I have I'll even be able to teach people how
to use the internet in my free time. I have her convinced that the net is
something she should be aware of.At least somebody is listening to all my
glowing accounts of the net.
With all my free time it is after 10 and I am just reading my E mail at
home. I just keep trying to inform show people all we do. It ain"t easy.
Marie Mmiczan@onondaga.bitnet. Solvay Elementary School
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Madeline,
Sorry for the flame. It is only March and people are getting hot about the end
of the year closing already. Most of my staff is very helpful and we do work
together. It is just those few.... I would like to hear from you if you get
any good suggestions. I'll try anything. Mmiczan@onondaga.bitnet.
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According to district policy the library cannot close until school is
out. Circulation can cease shortly before the end of school. Downtown
sets some magic date. As you could guess the date is not
realistic--especially for the librarians working two campuses. We stop
circulation about two weeks before the end of school. My campus is
automated. The actual scanning of the books doesn't take but two days if
we use only our scanner. If you share scanners you can get an elementary
library done in one day. It doesn't take much to show a responsible
student how to scan and they love it! Also, saves your wrists.
With our system, Follett's CircPlus, we can start inventory anytime we
want. Last year I started it in February. AS an item is checked out it
sets the inventory marker. The hard part of automated inventory is
figuring out the reports. I've done it two years and my records are not
in the shape I want them so until I can resolve that problem inventory is
still a pain.
Sandy Scroggs Kate Schenck Elementary School
Librarian 101 Kate Schenck Avenue
sandyscr@tenet.edu San Antonio, Texas 78223
1-210-333-0611
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Madeline, I am the librarian in an elementary school in San Antonio,
TX. Usually I close my llibrary for inventory--must be done each
year--two weeks before the end of school. Unfortunately, our teachers
must give up their textbooks two weeks early also. It takes me at least
a week to inventory about 17,000 books and I'm automated! Then just
getting all of the equipment back and accounted for is a hassle. I
usually let the teachers keep the equipment until the end and the
students can use the library for reference. Then I also try to check out
some books to the teachers for the classrooms. They generally don't like
the library closed, but my principal supports me.
BUT this year I'm trying something new. Our school will be testing much
of the school in early MAY. I'm going to close the library that week for
inventory. Students may have one book out for reading while testing.
Then my aide and I will inventory that week and reopen the library until
the last of school. It'll be an interesting experiment getting all of
the books back by the end. I am also on an extended contract which means
that I work for a week after school is out. Our secondary librarians
work for two weeks after the end of school. Good luck. Kathie Lyssy, El
Dorado Elementary, San Antonio, TX 78233, email: lyssy@tenet.edu
Hi Madeline --
I am en elem. media specialist in Wisconsin. Each year it's
the same thing -- how much class-free time do I get at the
start and end of the year. We are automated so inventory is
easier ( I haven't told them that!) yet there is so much to do.
I usually get about a week on each end. All our new books come
in over the summer so I make sure to have all of them laying
on all the tables so everyone sees all the work to be done.
At the end of the year, I usually leave my "to do" list on
my desk for others to see. I cut off check-out about two
weeks before the end of the year. I always allow check-out
for in school use - even to the last day. Hope this was
helpful -- or at least supportive!
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Marla Williams -- Prescott, WI -- Marla.J.Williams@UWRF.EDU >>>>>>>>>
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Madeline-
I am a librarian in two k-5 schools in Newton MA. We close our schools for
inventory generally two weeks before the end of school. Teachers may take books
out and kids may come to do reference work. Our elementary libraries are not
automated. Kids must return books the last class before the library closes. It
usually takes a week to just get the books back. I also encourage teachers to
return any books they are not using, with moderate success. I am two days at
one library and three at the other. It is impossible to get books back do
overdues, get books shelves correctly and do inventory in this time. However I
make a stab at it. I try to concentrate in getting books back and putting them
perfectly on shelves, then I try to do some inventory every year. Eventually
Ill get it done in the whole library and start over. There is just NOT enough
time to do it all.
Since we do close for two weeks early every year, teachers, while somewhat
grumbly, do accept it. They understand that we have to do this for the sake of
the library running smooothly. We do a basic end of the year one page report.
Janet Rawdon
Rawdonj@a1.mec.mass.edu
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we are automated but here's what we do...and we are also part of the
planning period rotation so I can't "close"...but about 2 roations before
the end of school we stop checking out books to students...so library
periods are a full 30 min. of some sort of activity....teachers can and
do check out books till the last day....but they can't leave for the
summer till I check their list that all materials are returned. We houe
a mess of fancy computer equipment so I can't "close"....we have kids in
there till the last day, and I work 3 days on contract after the kids are
gone.Inventory is done catch as catch can and if it isn't finsihed, well
the world hasn't ended yet! My princeipal (sp!) hates it when I close
the library and since she is real supportive of me and gives me $$$$$ I
do my best to accomodate her.
Guusje Moore
Librarian, Housman Elementary School
Houston, Texas
guusje@tenet.edu
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Madeline Buchanan,
In our school district we close our libraries 5 days before the last
day of school. Books are due when that 5 days starts. Some of us
will let teachers come in with their classes to use reference
materials but they
are on their own. In the past I have allowed teachers to keep
some materials that last week. If I know what they have I can
still inventory it. It's the students that don't bring their
books back till the last 2 days anyway.
J ziglin
ziglinj@uwwvax.uww.edu
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