HIT: Personal Books

[Luanne Arnold <SunBunnie@AOL.COM>]

Here are the suggestions I received in response to my inquiry:

"...maybe some of you had an idea of what could be done with
personal books. I would like them to be used, but don't want to go to the
trouble of processing them..."

Thanks to everyone who responded!!!

Luanne Arnold, Media Specialist
North Lakeland Elementary School of Choice
sunbunnie@aol.com
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Why don't you just prepare the book pocket and checkout card for each
book, put a distinugishing sticker on the spine, put the on a separate
shelf and invite 5th grade students to check them out directly from *you*
if they are interested.  This way the books could be shared, no real
cataloging needed, not part of your physical assets, you retain ownership.
Might work.

How about special book baskets you share with classes--you give a talk
about some of your favorites--and leave the basket with the class for
several weeks.

You could keep your books in your library and have them processed
and cataloged as a special collection.  You could write up a list of
these titles and send the list to other media specialists in your
district and to the Children's and Young Adult librarians at the public
library in the community.  If they are interested in reading any of
them, then they can request a specific title and you can loan it out to
them.  As a new media specialist this would be a good way for you to
introduce yourself to your colleagues.

I have quite a large personal collection of books that I feel
should be used, also, but I don't want to lose them. Here's what I do with
them. I cover them if they have book jackets, or protect them in whatever
way I can so that they don't get too worn. On each book I put a label that
I created on plain old address labels on the computer. The labels say Gayle
Hodur's Private Collection, Use in library or classroom only. When a
teacher is doing a particular unit or mentions some area they are working
on, if I have a book that would be helpful, I will loan it to the teacher
and keep track of who has it. (I don't have cards in the books and they are
not processed into the library, but I write the book and the borrower down
on a library card and keep it in a special file.) Sometimes I will just
place it in a teacher's box with a note, such as "thought this might help
with your unit on xxxx, if you don't want to use it just return to my box."
In most cases they are used, and the teachers appreciate them. I will
occasionally also loan to VERY responsible and trustworthy students.

I like your book exchange with teachers idea.  I save up books throughout
the year and have a book exchange with the kids during the last week of
school.  It helped fill the time when I didn't want the kids touching the
shelves, and I had first crack at the books they brought in to exchange.
The teachers know I am always looking for paperbacks for this project, and
have been very supportive when they are cleaning attics or going to yard
sales. Of course, I let the teachers exchange books, too!

My elementary aide keeps a shelf in her workroom for teacher book
exchange.  Teachers bring books they have finished reading and exchange
them for another.  It would be a nice way for you to get to know the
teachers.

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