LM_NET: Library Media Networking
Many policies regarding circulation are holdovers from pre-automation days.
Keeping track of overdues, who had what and how many often were labor
intensive tasks. When library media centers automate, we need to rethink
some of those practices. At our K-6 school, students choose how many books
they check out. Books still become overdue after two weeks. If they choose
to have overdue books, they cannot check out any more until those are
returned. We feel this teaches respect for others, respect for public
property, responsibility, but most importantly puts them in charge of their
own decisions about learning. This has increased circulation and decreased
overdues. Instead of talking to the students about how many they may have,
I have more time to talk to them about what they are reading. I'm happy.
Students are happy. . . But don't talk to my clerk about it. Actually,
volunteers do much of our shelving, They think putting the choice to the
students is great so most have been willing to pitch in and help with the
increased stream of circulating books. It also is a hook in recuiting new
volunteers and that makes my clerk happy, too.
Bev Bauer
Emmet Williams Media Center
Roseville Schools
955 West County Rd D
Shoreview, MN 55126
0623ewel@informns.k12.mn.us
LM_NET
Archive Home