Overdue books

[Frank H Worley <fworley@TOCCOAFALLS.EDU>]

I am a first year media specialist at a small school in NE Georgia that has
a wonderful staff of 12 teachers to work with.  They are a very
concientious group of people. However, I did want to prevent anyone from
saying  at the end of the year "Why didn't you tell me sooner that I had
overdue books?".  So, about every 6 weeks I would print out a list of books
each teacher had checked out.  They weren't necessarily due back, but it
did help remind them to return books they were finished with.  I would tell
them the list was just to check to make sure they had what the computer
said they had - a way to check on both of us. I could tell they got miffed
with the list but I think that's just human reaction.  People feel guilty
if they make mistakes.

The problem came when I told them at the end of the year that I needed
either the book or the money - just like I told the children.  Wellllllll,
people didn't like it but not until the last day of post planning did
someone tell me they had never had to do that with the previous media
specialists.  At that point I still felt I needed to hold my ground.

To make a long story short, I did tell them I would be writing a Media
Center handbook over the summer and the Media Committee would definitely
help come up with a policy that everyone would know about in the beginning.
The teachers want the committee to recommend an action and then let the
teachers discuss it and then vote on it.  Well, I think the vote will be
12-1 - what do you think!?

The principal does agree that the teachers are ultimately responsible and
being the positive person that she is, believes we can come up with a
sensible solution.  I thought it would be good to hear from some of you
about the policies your different schools have on that issue.  Any creative
solutions?

If you have any examples of handbooks, feel free to mail them to the
address below.

Thanks ahead of time for all your help.  I love reading the various
discussions on LM_NET.  They are full of wonderful ideas.

Connie Worley
132 Addington Drive
Toccoa, GA  30577