Circ Policy

[Jeannine JJ Towler <jjtowler@PEN.K12.VA.US>]

Our middle school has 635 students.  Since I have been there,
the policy has been this; you may not check out anything if you
have something that is due or overdue.  I feel that at this age
level they must realize their responsibility to their
classmates to return materials on time.  Often, the books that
don't get returned are the ones the teachers REQUIRED them to
check out.  So the books go home, under the bed, forgotten.

However, if a student tells me they MUST have a book for an
assignment, we usually work out an arrangement with that
teacher that the book will be cheked out in the TEACHER'S
name.  That way, the teacher becomes more aware of a student's
use of library books and becomes quite helpful in getting books
returned.

If a child just wants to check out a book for leisure reading,
I tell them I will "hold it hostage" until home room the next
day.  If they return their books by then, they will be
permitted to check out the other book.  For more forgetful
students, they telephone home and ask a parent to remind them,
or, as many of our studnets have answering machines at home,
they leave messages for themselves.

The students have learned the importance of returning books and
understnd that these books are here for everyone to use.
Especially with our Young Readers Program, sponsored by the
Virginia State Reading Association, where the books are always
on reserve, they realize the importance of respecting other
student's "right to read."

Regards,
JJ
--


             --/         JJ Towler     jjtowler@pen.k12.va.us
   //\ ____/ /\(   Library Media Specialist, J.T. Henley Middle School
   )) ( )___)__        husband Bill, MVP (Most Valuable Partner)
  //  //    | /    Guenevere, the effervescent Egyptian Arabian horse &
     | \    |          Gypsy, the vivacious Weimaraner dog!!

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