HIT: Cleanup in LMC by non-LMC groups

[SCHLnet LMNET Newsgroup <lmnet-l@ACME.FRED.ORG>]

Thanks to all who responded.

I was asked to post a hit on how to get groups to clean up the
LMC after night meetings.  I said my principal told me to get
students to help in the morning and I was thinking of going over
his head to a new superintendent and that I am in my 2d year with
no tenure.Hope this works.

Sharon Hamer* (hamer@meol.mass.edu)* Hopkinton Middle/High School
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I did that once and was told that I was not very professional.
Now I just clean up what is left. Of course, I am not too
happy while I am picking up other peoples messes.
 Please share your responses!!  I have the same problem, and it
never fails to amaze me that people do this continually.  I come
in sometimes and am shocked at the mess I have to clean up before
my first class at 8:30.
Good luck!  Fortunately it doesn't happen to me too often, but it
soundslike a regular occurence for you.
Suby Wallace Library/Media Center*Nettleton Intermediate Center
          Jonesboro, AR 72401
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I suppose you have spoken to the head of each committee and have
mentioned that things should be left as they found them.  We also
gave out a list of "rules" on how the media center should be left
after a meeting (not with a great deal of success I will admit).
The other thing we did was have the custodians come in the first
thing in the morning and get things back to normal.  The thing
that annoyed me most were the drink spills on the rug that nobody
bothered to clean up (I'm  morning and get things back to normal.
(I'm at the new high school now so I haven't had to face the
problem yet)
Sue Covalla*East Chapel Hill HS*Chapel Hill NC

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Leave BIG notes for them asking for them to please make sure
everything is arranged like they found it.
OR
Send a memo to those in charge of the meeting to make sure
things are arranged back the way it was.
You do have authority to do this, after all the library is your
responsibility.
If you like:
Let them know you are too busy assisting teachers and students in
the  mornings to replace things that are not in their proper
place and that it really starts the day off one the wrong foot.
And be consistent with this just as you are with all library
policies. They will soon get the message.
Frankie Dilling*fdilling@tenet.edu
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How I sympathize.  Recently I had a real problem again with this
situation. Why doesn't the administration get the students to
come in and clean and at the same time to supervise the
students?? For years I had to straighten and re-arrange the
library and usually I wouldn't know about the meeting till I came
in and found the mess. I thought it would be over, now that we
are in a much smaller center.  No such luck. I don't come in at
6AM to move and clean, but to work on lessons, etc. Now
to a solution:  One of my innovative colleagues in the library
field had the tables supported by book shelves so they are in a
permanent location. Unfortunately I couldn't repeat that feat.
If you redesign-remodel consider this.  Also, perhaps the
administrator has a group of students who need to make up time
for infractions.  Have him  (her?) set up a list and arrange for
those students to come in early in the morning to  who need to
make up time for infractions.  Have him  (her?) set up a list
and arrange for those students to come in early in the morning to
straighten with him as supervisor!!  Keep a map of your area with
the furniture arrangement posted in a prominent place! I can't
tell you how I empathize!!! Let me know what good suggestions you
get.  In closing:  I decided several years ago that: Whatever the
principal wants he gets," but if he is not taking care of the
area , it stays that way.  However, I always have to remind
myself and last week I didn't live up to my resolve
and slightly lost it.  Best of luck to you. Christine S.

Christine Stang *cstang@east.slc.k12.ut.us *east high school
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We all sympathize.  It's a headache for all of us and an
aggravation we wish we didn't have.  After 23 years on the job
I've decided that the only solution is to have the students put
everything back in the morning.  Just imagine how a classroom
teacher would react, however, if their classrooms were left as
our media centers are!!

Madge Thomas Forest Hill, Maryland madgthom@umd5.umd.edu
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Perhaps if you can get kids in the morning to put things back,
perhaps there is a custodian on duty then too???  But I really
wonder who locks up the lib. and the bldg. if there is no
custodian on duty after the school com't.
breaks up?  (Had similar situation several years ago when we had
an older lady less than 5' tall who asked the principal to have
the custodians put back in order and the custodians have done the
heavy tables ever since that time--we still have extraneous
papers and cups to throw away sometimes.
Good luck!!>Thanks in advance for any information. This group is
always so helpful.
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IMHO I would not go over your prince's head on this kind a thing.
In the long run you will be better off.  Part of being new is
knowing which battles to fight.  You could try one of several
things.  Talk to the people who rearrange everything - My
teachers leave the MC in disarray all the time, if I don't remind
them to put their chairs up!!!  Have to treat them like the
kids sometimes.  Those people may have no idea that  you are in
charge of cleanup.  Also most of the kids enjoy helping out, so
let those kids help! If your schools are like ours the prince has
the ultimate say even if what he/she wants goes against
standards/guidelines.
Margaret Hunt
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I have been a librarian for 22 years and this is always a
problem.  PR is important.  I would not do anything directly.  Do
you know any one on the committee?  You could be "politeness"
sign up.  Like do not move computers and "it is always polite to
leave a place better than your found it".  It is part of being a
librarian, and the result of having the most welcoming place in
the school!
Marthap Hohokam Middle * Tucson, AZ
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I put a note in the PTSA's box thanking them for cleaning up so
nicely (when they do.)  It gets their attention.
Sue Weiss Ballard * HS Librarian
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I vote for talking to the chair of the committee (and if that is
the principal) proceed directly to his superior (superintendent).
And if the chair is not responsive then move to the
superintendent.   This is certainly a nuisance but at the least
very disrespectful and unconsiderate. YOU ARE NOT THE CUSTODIAN.
At the least HE (the principal) should get the students who come
in early to rearrange the area.  Or the principal could
ask the custodians to put things back in order early in the
morning when they first arrive.
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Have you said anything to anyone on the committees?  Do you know
anyone -- perhaps someone usually very cooperative -- on the
committees?  Maybe you could get that person to suggest to the
group that they return  furniture to original places.
I've been at my school for about 13 years, 10 in which faculty
meetings have been held in the LMC.  Every meeting teachers move
chairs and do not return them, nor do many push chairs in on
leaving.  I know they hear me telling students that they "may push
chairs in and line up".  So perhaps time in the school doesn't help
that much.
Except for the tenure issue. . .  hmmm.   As you can tell from the
above, I'm not a real rock the boat, say what I think type
(probably should  be more so).  I'm sure that would give me pause.
so).  I'm sure that would give me pause.
Good luck.  Hope you  get several ideas.
Carol Wheat * Parkway Christian Academy * Birmingham, AL
dems258@uabdpo.dpo.uab.edu

P.S.  Just another idea -- How about posting signs?  Something that
sounds generic as if it were for students too.  Maybe "Please leave
LMC as you found it.  Do you have your pens and pencils?  Have you
thrown wastepaper away? Have you put your chairs where they belong?
etc."
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You are certainly within your right to ask the chair person of this
group to please arrange to have the furniture put back in its
original state.
If it can't be the night custodial staff perhaps the morning crew.
I don't think it should be your or your first period class.  If
each person who attends the meetings helps  this could be
accomplished in a short amount of time.  You are not being
unreasonable.  I have a similar situation.  An occasional disarray
is acceptable but your situation sounds recurring.
Victoria Lo Brutto
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This is a tricky situation I agree.  I too am a "new hire" as a
librarian and would be concerned about being perceived as too fussy
or something. However, it isn't right to make the kids clean up
someone else's mess.  I think I would talk to the head/s of the
committees using your facilities. I had a similar situation just
recently in our library.  The night class
teacher who brings his students into the library on the afternoon
I work late was leaving with them at 5:30 (my closing time) without
picking up
anything.  After the second time this happened I just asked him
quietly late was leaving with them at 5:30 (my closing time)
without picking up anything.  After the second time this happened
I just asked him quietly shortly before they left if he could ask
the students to pick up and put up and push in, etc.  He was very
apologetic - I truly believe that he hadn't really thought about
it. I'd be interested in hearing the outcome. Good luck.
 Nancy Badertscher, Librarian * Rockbridge County High School
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I don't have any answers for you, but I am *very* interested in
theanswers people do send you.  Hope you will post a hit
eventually.  This issue has frustrated me for years, and on several
occassions I have gotten myself in trouble for complaining.  Also
have wasted a lot of emotional energy dwelling on it. Media
Specialists are in a strange situation.  The MC is our classroom,
but it isn't really ours.  Sometimes I feel in the way during the
day when there are so many voluteers that I am supposed to find
working places for. If only people who use the media center at
night would leave it exactly as they found it!  Seems reasonable to
me, put doesn't happen very often.  I have a feeling that there
isn't much we can do about it, and we are hurting ourself
physically and emotionally when we dwell on it.  Have sometimes
thought about putting up a sign asking people to clean up after
themselves, but would probably get in trouble for doing that too!
Good luck finding a solution!
Lynne Johnston, Media Specialist*Crystal Lakes Elementary
Boynton Beach, FL
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We have one custodian on during the day and the others work nights,
till 11PM I think.  But on the other hand, they don't clean the
media center very often anyway:)! Rugs are usually shampooed on
planning days.  If there is a "really big" event that the
administration has planned for themedia center they usually send
the day custodian in to do extra cleaning and we just work around
each other.  What can I say?  Most people seem to think media
specialists are control freaks who complain a lot. Don't think I
mentioned that the after school day care also uses the MC for
homework from 4:30 to 5:30 every afternoon.  that is a whole other
nightmare!  We have so much trouble with them that I really have a
reputation there.  We have taken to locking up stuff every night,
taking the keyboards off the computers, and the power cord off of
my clerks  drawer whenever she forgot and let them there!  Like I
said, you are not alone!
Hang in there, some day when we are older and grayer we can look
back and laugh at these times!
Lynne Johnston
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meetings, and I have much the same problem, having to put the
tables back in order, etc.  However, they do not make quite such a
mess as you describe.  Do these committees HAVE to use the library?
Could an alternative classroom be used, since it is after school
hours?  If not, I would raise my concerns with the superintendent
that it is expected thatthe committee return the  library to its
original condition before THEY leave!  Possibly you could raise the
issue of the time it takes out of the beginning of your day, when
classes are coming in, etc. to get the library in working order
again.
Good luck!     Betty Copeland*St. Michael's Academy*ustin, Texas
bcope@tenet.edu