LM_NET: Library Media Networking
NOTE: I am first posting my original TARGET question, followed by the
numerous responses I have received. Many, many thanks to all who
responded--it was a tremendous help to compare notes with so many others.
THIS SUMMARY OF RESPONSES WILL BE POSTED IN TWO PARTS,
BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY OF THEM. THIS IS PART I.
Aloha--Marcia Kemble
******************
ORIGINAL MESSAGE:
Date: Mon, 2 May 94 8:50:24 HST
From: Janet Onopa <onopa@uhunix.uhcc.Hawaii.Edu>
To: lm_net@suvm.syr.edu
Subject: Kids forgetting to bring lib. cards
At our high school library, students are supposed to bring their student
cards with them in order to check books out--the cards are barcoded with
their library patron number. Many students show up at the desk, though,
with books to check out but without their cards. We can type their names in
and check books out that way, but we want to be sure that students are not
checking books out for their friends. We are wondering how strict other
libraries are about only checking books out to students who have
remembered to bring their barcoded cards with them.
Along the same lines, do any of you require students to flash their cards
upon entering the library, so that they can't even enter if they don't have
their student/library cards with them? If you do this, has it worked for
you?
If people respond to me individually, I'll post a HIT if it seems helpful.
--Marcia Kemble, Mid-Pacific Institute, Honolulu, HI
using my sister's email address: onopa@uhunix.uhcc.hawaii.edu
***************
From: betsyj29@aol.com
At our high school, we keep a rolodex with each student's name, address,
homeroom, and actual barcode. That number is different from the student's
ID number for the rest of the school. We know most of our students
eventually, so taking books out on another's card is not a problem.
Betsy Jackson, MA
****************
From: "Margaret J. McCormick" <mmccormi@services.dese.state.mo.us>
We keep a roll-a-dex file of barcodes of students at our check out
counter. If a student does not have his barcode with him (which is stuck
on the student's daily planner), we look up his number in our file. We
have no photos of students, but in our school of 650, we know our
students - and check out items, just fine.
Good luck!
******************
From: Glenbrook South High School <gbspasco@CLASS.ORG>
We require the students to have their ID cards with them when they check
out books. We too wish to keep students from checking out materials
under an "alias".
I had to reply because I wonder if dealing with all this school library
jazz is more fun in Hawaii? If you ever get to the Chicago area, give us
a call and come for a visit!
Pat Luebbe
Reference Librarian
Instructional Materials Center
Glenbrook South High School ** Glenview, Il ** internet: gbspasco@class.org
***************
From: KBW_INGLIS@MEC.OHIO.GOV
Marcia - We also issue Library cards, but we are not that intense about
requiring them. We have about 1000 students, but we tend to know most of
them. Ironically we have had fewer problems with people using wrong
names with our Winnebago than we did when they had no cards and signed
the bookcards. If you really have a problem, then by all means enforce the
card - but even that can backfire unless it is a picture ID. If you don't
have a
problem, type in the name. It's usually faster than having them dig into
their
wallets.
Kari Inglis, Watterson High School, Columbus, OH
kbw_inglis@mec.ohio.gov
****************
From: "Nancy Montgomery" <usr2112a@tso.uc.edu>
I'm glad you brought this up. We were just discussing this today at school.
We just automated this year and the kids have gotten lax about bringing their
cards. I can see a real problem beginning here.
I like the idea about their having to show their cards just to get in. That
way they are more likely to keep up with them.
Nancy Montgomery
Felicity-Franklin H.S.
Felicity, OH 45120
usr2112a@tso.uc.edu
******************
From: Betsy Stine <BSTINE@RCNVMS.RCN.MASS.EDU>
Marcia: We do not issue library cards to our students but keep them on a
Rolodex near the barcode scanner. This eliminates the problem of their for-
getting to bring cards. If we do not know the students we can ask them for
their school IDs. Betsy Stine, Danvers (MA) H.S. 01923
<bstine@rcn.mass.edu>
*****************
From: iclise@daisy.esd113.wednet.edu
We have over 1400 students and we too have barcoded library cards. What
we've done for five years and it's worked very successfully is:
1. We do NOT check any book or video, etc. out without a library
card present, HOWEVER:
2. A student can borrow a card from a friend and check a book, etc.
out on it as long as neither has an overdue.
3. When student cards are given out, we stress that it is like a
VISA or MASTERCHARGE and the student whose name is on the
card is responsible for everything checked out on it--therefore
be careful who you loan it to.
4. To make this work smoothly, we emphasize to students that if they
lose their card, let us put a hold on it immediately.
This has worked exceedingly well for us. No card, no checkout--but options
are available.
*****************
From: Mark Williams <marwill@eis.calstate.edu>
We do not require students to flash their cards to use the library--many
are there for reference work and complete their tasks without needing to
check out books (this also seems to me to be against a policy of
encouraging all to use the library as a resource).
We do not EVER check out material to a student without a card. We do
hold books for three days if they don't have their cards with them.
After three days, the items go back on the shelf. Replacement cards cost
a dollar or a lunch period's worth of work for us. If ther card was
stolen (say, in a wallet or purse) we will consider a free replacement.
Repeat "thefts" pay the dollar.
If you are using a circulation system that has a homeroom field (or some
similar identifier, such as a first period class, or a street address,
You could ask the person trying to check out material for that piece of
information as you look up the name they have given you. This could them
be used to confirm that they are indeed who they say they are if you wish
to check out to those without the card. Personally, I don't feel that it
is unreasonable to expect high school students to remember their library
cards--are they driving without having their licenses with them?? And
will the policeman "look up" their license for them if they are stopped
for a violation?! I have been burned too many times by students checking
out material under a false name to to do it without the card and the
confirming bit of information.
Hope this helps.
******************
From: A_KUEBBELER@OJC.Colorado.EDU
We keep all library cards on a Rolodex at the circulation desk. If I know
someone I can simply type in their name but I have the option of asking for
their name and looking up their barcoded picture ID card to verify that
everything is on the up and up. Kids seem to appreciate having their cards
in
the library. We do our library registration on the general school
registration
day and the photographer takes 2 pictures - one for their ID and one for us.
Has worked very well for us.
****************
From: "Joyce G. Miller" <jmiller@services.dese.state.mo.us>
We are pretty strict about students having their ID cards to check out
materials. We tell them we are just preparing them for college and "the
real world" where IDs are required for just about everything including
check cashing. If they have forgotten to bring them we hold the
materials for one day on reserve till they bring the ID. We do not
require showing ID to enter, as our circ desk is too far from the
entrance for this to be practical. This is the first year students have
had to have IDs in our school, and we do get some grumbling from some of
the seniors...but then what else it new?
Joyce Miller
Library Media Specialist
Warrensburg High School
Warrensburg, Missouri 64093
jmiller@services.dese.state.mo.us
******************
From: Marsha Schroder <mschrode@rvgs.vak12ed.edu>
Our policy is ...If you check out the book then you are
responsible for it. If you decide to give it to someone else
and they return it late or lose it that is your problem not
ours. I know it seems hard hearted but so for it has worked
95% of the time. (We don't have cards but with only 750
students I know most of them by face and can match name with
face when I see it)
Marsha D. Schroeder Robert E. Lee High School
Librarian/Media Center Director Staunton, Virginia 2440
mschrode@rvgs.vak12ed.edu
****************
From: Henry Gordon <hgordon@eis.calstate.edu>
We are in a similar situation with our automated library system. We can
type in a name but certainly would prefer to scan the student's ID card.
My feeling is that putting the book in the hands of a student (often a
reluctant reader) is more important than the card issue. Maybe my
expections are lower because I am working with 7th and 8th graders. The
Sr. High librarians in our District insist on the card.
Henry Gordon - Library Media Teacher
Samuel Jackman Middle School
Elk Grove Unified School District
Sacramento, California
E-mail: hgordon@ctp.org
*************
From: Sandal Lynn Stephenson <sandal@tenet.edu>
We are VERY strict in our large high school about check out.
Students must have their picture ID (Library barcode on the back) before
we will check out anything. Most of our material will circulate, so we
want it back, of course. If students come to the desk without their IDs
we will hold their material for 24 hours while they round up the ID.
After 24 hours the material goes back on the shelf.
We do make one exception. If an entire class is in the library
checking out material we will check out things to a student without
an ID if the teacher will come to the circulation desk and tell us who
the student is. No teacher verification, no check out.
Students get used to the policy and will quit griping about it
eventually. With 2,000 students and 30,000 volumes to keep track of it
is really the only way to go.
Sandal Stephenson, Librarian
Bryan High School
Bryan, Texas
sandal@tenet.edu
******************
From: k160344m@unccptv.ll.pbs.org (Anne Lawton)
Marcia,
I am very strict about students having a library card with them when they
check out books. If they don't have their card with them, I put their book
on reserve for up to a week to give them time to come back with their
card. If they can get one of their teachers to sign the old-style book card,
then I will let them take the book because I know the teacher will make
them get it back to us. I don't worry about whether or not they are the
person whose name belongs to the borrower's card they are holding
because of our Circulation Policy. It states that they are responsible for
all items checked out with their card. So, if they lend it, or if they lose
it and
don't report it, they are responsible for what's checked out with that
card. I do ask for a name before punching in the barcode just to catch
anyone who might be trying to use a card they found or stole from a
stranger. Only their barcode number and the school name appears on the
card. At the bottom of this message is a copy of the Circulation Policy I
give to each student with their new card.
I do not require students to show their card to enter the library. I
wouldn't want to deny use of our resources simply because they didn't
have their cards with them.
Library Book Circulation Policy:
Each student will be issued one free borrower's card with the
barcode number assigned to that student. Students can replace damaged,
lost or stolen borrower's cards by paying a $2.00 replacement fee per card.
Because students are responsible for all books checked out with their card
while their barcode number is active, lost or stolen cards should be
reported to the librarian immediately. Students who transfer, withdraw
or graduate must turn in their card or pay a $2.00 replacement fee.
A student's borrower's card must be presented at the library
circulation desk at the time books are checked out. Books may be held on
reserve up to one week for students who do not have their borrower's card
with them.
Students may have a maximum of three books checked out at a time.
Should a student have an overdue book or books, the overdue book(s) must
be turned in before additional books can be checked out.
=============================================================
Anne Lawton, Media Coordinator
Route 2, Box 390
West Carteret High School/Morehead City, NC 28557
FAX: 919-726-8567
k160344m@unccptv.ll.pbs.org OR wcarthi@micronet.wcu.edu
=============================================================
***************
From: MOESHS@delphi.com
Marcia:
I'd be interested in hearing the responses you receive on this. We
are just getting ready to use our automated system--our barcoding is
completed and we will begin using cards next year. I am curious
about how other libraries handle giving out library cards--is it
best done at enrollment, through English classes, during orientation,
or when students first check out a book. Also, is it best to have
a picture on the ID, or does it really make that much difference?
Thanks for any info.
Holly Tesasr
Excelsir Springs (MO) High School
Excelsior Springs, MO 64024
MOESHS@delphi.com
**************
From: misd77p@MSUS1.MSUS.EDU (Diane Brennan)
Greetings from Minnesota! We find it is much easier to just forget the cards
and ask students to remember their numbers if they can. At first you have to
type in their names and write down their numbers on date due slips to help
them remember. Don't worry if they check out for a friend. They are re-
sponsible for everything that is checked out to their number and if anything
is overdue, no checking out until the od item is taken care of. We hold
the book for a few days with their name on it. We find this works well.
Those who come in often almost all know their numbers. Good luck!
Diane Brennan
Media Specialit
Mankato, MN
P.S. Remember to verify that the "remembered" number is correct.
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