LM_NET: Library Media Networking
Thanks to those who replied to the TARGET about adjusted school schedules and
visitation policies. I received just as many request for the HITs, so it must
be a topic of interest to many of us. Below are the major responses; I have
taken the liberty of including e-mail addresses for those who would like
additional information. Thanks again.
Bob Hall
Patrick Henry Local Schools
Hamler, OH
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We are testing a new block schedule the last 6 weeks of the year. As it
turns out, because we have had seven periods a day, the 8th period has
become a school-wide study hall. I realized immediately that every
student would try to escape to the library ... all 630 of them. (Thank
goodness they like to come to the library, but not *that* many at one
time, please!)
I cleared it with my principal and made a pass that has a place for the
student's hame, the period, the date (which *I* stamp), the teacher for
whom they are doing work, and a row of library-type work that one does
there: study, research, wordprocessing, CD ROMS, Mag Summaries, read, etc.
I stamp anywhere from 30 to 50 (depending on *my* schedule) passes.
Students must come early - well before 8th period - and get a pass. They
fill it out in ink and have the study hall teacher initial it. That is
their "ticket" to get into the library during 8th period. Any other
time, teachers may send students as they see fit, but because the whole
school has a study hall at the same time, I have control over the numbers
that use it then. (Oh yes, if they are going to use computers, I have
them reserve a computer on a check out card.) <bhamilt@tenet.EDU>
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We expect that there will be fewer and smaller study halls so we expect to
concentrate on students from classes. Now we have passes that we issue to
students from study hall and we restrict them when we know students from
class are coming in. But we also have trouble at times with numbers of
students showing up unexpectedly. I was hoping to not have lots of passes
and sign-in sheets, etc. next year. I think the key to success is to
strongly communicate to students and staff that people need to have a
reason to be in the media center and be able to show results of their
visit. <dsparks@VAX1.Mankato.MSUS.EDU>
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One way we eliminate "study hall dumping" by teachers is to require
that students get passes from their subject teachers, come directly to the
media center (not via their study halls) and sign in here. Then the sign-in
slips are distributed to the study halls each period. We are looking to having
longer periods sometime in th future as well, but the program is not yet
implemented. Good luck. <bstine@rcn.mass.edu>
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Open the library to all who choose to come - no passes required - may
come and go as they please - must behave responsibily and not interfere
with the learning/teaching process. No policies required really, as the
students already know how to behave (though they must be reminded
daily!). Our classes coming with teachers must schedule in a book to
reserve some of our enclosed rooms. Flexible scheduling works for us -
and the library activity is an increasing part of every lesson plan.
Students cycle and recycle through and learn lots to transfer to the next
assignment and class. <mmccormi@services.dese.state.mo.us>
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We are tightening up! I developed a form that I use when a
student creates a problem (is distracting, rude, etc.). This
form is filled out by me explaining the behavior and action
taken. I send a copy to the teacher and keep one in my records.
This form enables us to communicate better with the teachers -
and, students are becoming more aware of this communication.
It is beginning to make a difference in their behavior.
<mstallin@nhgs.vak12ed.edu>
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Our system has been working very well for us for years. Maybe it will
give you some ideas.
All students are given the opportunity to earn a "Library Pass Card"
during their first year of attendance at our high school. Usually this
occurs during their freshman year. In the case of transfer students
this opportunity is available to them during their first year, no matter
what grade they are in.
Students earn this "Pass Card" by completing a Library Orientation Process
and receiving a passing grade. This project is a "Research Process
Project" requiring students to find four sources of information on a
given topic using the library's electronic resources and preparing a
"Works Cited Page" listing these resources. In the case of students
doing this project as freshmen, they do receive a grade which is
averaged into their English grade during the first marking period. All
classes are scheduled through the English dept. Transfer students do
not receive a grade. Its pass-fail for them.
If students choose not to complete this assignment, they do not have another
chance to earn a library pass card. They must ask the librarian for a written
pass if they need to use the library during a study hall period. STUDY HALL
TEACHERS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO WRITE PASSES TO THE LIBRARY. Students must
have their "Pass Card" or a written pass from a librarian.
Subject teachers are allowed to send students down from their class on a
pass, but also cannot give study hall library passes.
This system works well because it eliminates the need to write a lot of
passes for study hall students each day. It also puts control of who
comes on a pass in the librarian's hands. We also use these cards for
discipline purposes, cards are revoked for inappropriate behavoir.
First offense - 10 school days, second offense - 25 school days and
third offense - rest of school year. Student's whose card have been
revoked must ask for a pass each time they want to come from a study
hall, and must demonstrate a valid research need. You can imagine how
students treasure these cards since most find study hall "boring".
This pass card allows them access to the school library during any study
hall period without a pass. They can just show this card to their study
hall teacher and come up. All cards are scanned in on a portable
scanner as they arrive at the circulation desk. Some students just drop
their cards at the circ. desk and sit down, other cards are sent up in a
group from a study hall. We do have a certain number allowed to come
from each study hall -- 10 max. if no class is scheduled, less as the
number of classes increase. Study hall teachers are notified if their
limit is changed by the end of the previous school day. Study hall
teachers are also in charge of deciding who comes if more than the
allotted number drop their cards. We highly discourge students from
"dropping their card and running out" before the teacher arrives and we hold
the study hall teacher responsible if this happens.
Scanning these cards in for attendance also makes tracking students much
easier since they no longer can say they were here if they were
not, since our motto is "if you were not scanned you were not here!"
All in all this process is very successful for us. If you have any
questions let me know. <ny000999@mail.nyser.NET>
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We run a four (90min) period A/B day schedule. There has been little or
no problem with the library being abused by study hall (there are few
students that couldn't find a match in their schedule) or teachers. Many
teachers schedule a part of the period rather than all the period to
provide for a variety in the activity. I have been successful in
scheduling either a half or whole period through out this school year.
<astritch@UMD5.UMD.EDU>
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