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[Anne Repp <REPPANNXX@URVAX.URICH.EDU>]

To LM_NETers-
     My first message to the list yielded about 40 responses!
Lots of wonderful and varying ideas came from as far away as
Hawaii, Quebec, and Guam!  Many thanks!!  Here's a synopsis:

"Birthday Club" was called "Adopt a Book" or  "Readers' Circle"
in some schools to indicate that book donations were appropriate
ways to remember a student's graduation, making the Honor Roll, a
teacher's special event, or even a gift in memoriam.  Total
donations from the program ranged from a few books a year to a
few thousand dollars each year.


WHO SELECTS THE BOOKS:
A.  The librarian -- this had overwhelming support.
B.  The donor goes to a bookstore
     Advantages:  Child has personal investment in the books.
There is no money tied up in books sitting on a shelf  waiting to
be circulated.  The donors can decide what they can afford.
Disadvantage:  books selection not in librarian's hands.  (Al-
though too many dinosaur books was the  worst problem reported.)
C.  One librarian reported that she likes it best when a parent
comes to the library and they select a book together from School
Library Journal.

HOW THE PATRON PURCHASES BOOKS THAT LIBRARIAN HAS PRE-SELECTED:
A.  There is a designated day for buying books.  This might take
place at an Open House in September or at the school book fair.
B.  Books are kept at school in the "Book Box" or on the "Book
Cart."  Parents or students may come in at any time to select.
C.  A letter is sent home telling about the program.  It says
     (1)-a book will be selected for your child if you send a
     check.
     (2)-if you tell us your child's interest we will select a
     book that he/she would probably like.
     (3)-a list of needed books is included.  You (parent) select
     the title you want to donate, fill out the information form,
     and librarian takes care of the rest.

MONEY CHANGES HANDS:
     Most schools had a set rate they charged ( maybe $10 and
$15) for books the librarian had already picked out.  Some books
were lower; one even had a $4 catagory for paperbacks.  Most
reported they would rather have lots of participants and not
worry about the exact cost of the book.

     Some charged exact cost, letting parents know they were
passing along the discount that the school received.

HOW THE CHILDREN ARE HONORED:
(1)-Bookplate with the child's name is the most universal
     way to recognize the donation.
(2)-Thank you letter to donor and card to the child was second.
(3) Names or polaroid pictures on bulletin board.
(4)-Book presented in front of class or school assembly.
(5)-Announced in PTA newsletter -- or in monthly letter from
     the principal.
(6)-Books in display case.
(7)-Child or children sit at the head table at lunch.
(8)-Ice cream party at the end of the year for all honored
 children.

WHAT ABOUT THE FEELINGS OF THOSE WHO CANNOT PARTICIPATE
     Many of you expressed concern about this.  But most respon-
dents said that ALL the children seem to genuinely be interested
and enjoy seeing the book presented. Apparently, feeling left out
is not a major problem.