inventory and prep period

["Patricia J. Charlton" <pjcharlton@DMCI.NET>]

Hi fellow netters:

It's Friday night and only one and a half days to go.  I'd like to respond
to several conversations that have been taking place over the last couple of
weeks.  We have just finished our second full year with a 3M security
system.  I have a small rural school with about 300 students (6-12) using
our library of about 6,500 books.  We were having stolen (I won't say
loosing) over 100-150 books a year my first two years!  I couldn't believe
it.  I have no adult help, but I couldn't seem to lower the numbers.  The
Board "let" me use my budget, hold cake sales, sell T-shirts, etc. to raise
money and we bought the system. Last year there were 14 books unaccounted
for.  I knew this year would be bad as we had a rash of strips torn out and
either hidden behind the books, left on the floor or put in the textbooks of
other students.  I was prepared for the worst.  Boy, was I wrong-only 9
(three hardbound and 6 paperback fiction).  I still am on cloud nine or
twenty-nine!
  I "reduced" (good term I saw used here on the net) my services Friday May
24th. Classes still came in for research or reading or using the computers.
It took me seven days to inventory with the help of my student workers and
student volunteers from classes.  I can't wait to be automated.  There were
exceptions to the no book sign out (two classes which were finishing
research papers and a seventh grade reading class).  All books were to be
back by Tuesday May 28th.  I still have 5 books out (only three students,
one principal and the superintendant).  So, I feel pretty good about that.
I do not have a prep hour.  In fact, the North Central guidelines state that
the librarian, guidance counsler and principal do not need one!  I close the
library during either junior or senior high lunch so that I can spend some
time with the staff.  What teachers are using the library determine when I
eat lunch.  The first year I ate in the library, but you really miss
connecting with the staff when you do this and building lines of
communication are an important part of our profession.
I hope that all of you had a good year and will have a great summer.  The
two months that I have been a part of this group have been an education.
Thank you for all the neat ideas and information that I have gained from our
listserve.

Pat Charlton
North Adams-Jerome School
North Adams, Mi.

pjcharlton@dmci.net