Re: Circ policy (reprise)

[Beth Bugnaski <bugnaski@UMD5.UMD.EDU>]

     No Gail, I don't think you should shut up; your comments prompted me to
reply to the whole list, something I rarely do.  I often lurk quietly, as
I read mail late at night, and always risk sounding foolish (I think).
     In any event, I run a School library media center where the policy
is one book at a time for first graders, 2 books at a time for grades
2-5. If the kids have left their books home, I ask if they know where the
missing books are.  If the child knows, and tells me the books will be
back the next day, I _always_ say: "I trust you! Sign out more books
today; bring the old ones back tomorrow." The old books get returned the
next day *most* of the time.
     As I have an automated system, I can see who has how many books out
during circulation. That's when I catch up with the devious, or crazed,
or forgetful ones who may have 5 or 6 books out. That's when their
privledges get temporarily suspended, notices get printed, etc.
     My answer to "How many books can I sign out?" is  "How many do you
need?" We can usually reach a quick compromise at that point.
     Before I started using an automated system, my policies were more
rigid.  I'm more relaxed about it now, having lots more fun (can never
have too much!), and overdues aren't a big problem for me.
     Thanks group, for reading all this!

Beth Bugnaski
Library Media Specialist
Seven Oaks Elem.
Baltimore County, Maryland
bugnaski@umd5.umd.edu

On Sat, 19 Nov 1994, Gail K. Dickinson wrote:

> I know, I am a supervisor and should therefore just shut up, but I
> really can't help it.
>
> Out of 6 elementary schools, (approx. 500 kids each), I have convinced
> one, maybe two librarians to remove all limits from reading.  My
> rationale on this is that from reading THE POWER OF READING, I know that
> in order to give kids a chance, they must read.   I also want to point
> out how increased access through technology, and increasing staffing to
> 1 certified SLMS per school, has increased reading.   One elementary
> school in particular circulates wildly (the librarian is on this list,
> and probably cringing right now).  Kids are walking out with 6, 7, 9
> books.  What's the overdue rate?  It's high, but not inordinately so.
> We must remove all barriers to reading.   We can't on the one hand tell
> kids to read intensively, and on the other hand limit the numbers of
> books they check out.
>
> My argument to librarians I supervise, and the closest I have ever come
> to a direct order is, "Find a way to answer the question, 'How many
> books can I check out?', without using a number".
>
>
> ***************************
> Gail Dickinson
> Union-Endicott Central School District
> Endicott, NY 13760
>
>                         "a wild patience has taken me this far"
>