Re: LM_NET Digest - 22 Nov 1997 - Special issue

[Kathy Martin <kmmartin@DE533.K12.MN.US>]

I have to throw in my $.02 about Librarian's reshelving books. I am both
for it and against it. I do some reshelving. It is a good way to get to
know the collection and to know what might need to be weeded. I am against
reshelving because of limited time. If I have to reshelve books, I have to
take the time away from working with teachers and students, reading book
reviews, and doing other more professional tasks.

This year -- because of a cut in paraprofessional time -- we are having
students in grades 3 through 5 doing some reshelving. Here is my
rationale...They make the mess, they can help pick it up. ;-)

Please note that that is only a very small part of the reason. We want to
teach the students to be responsible for their school and education. We
talk in library skills lessons about how hard it is to find a book when
someone has put it back on the shelf in the wrong place or has taken it
from the library without checking it out. We also want students to be able
to locate a book on the shelf after they use the computer catalog. If they
know the system to put a book away, they can certainly find one. We usually
spend the first 10 minutes of the 45 minute library skills class
reshelving. Third graders are experts at putting books away in the Easy
Section. Fourth Graders reshleve fiction books (and nonfiction when a large
number have been returned). Fifth Graders reshelve nonfiction (with help
from the fourth and sixth graders if needed.) Note: It takes 10 minutes
because I am still checking that each student has put the book back in the
correct spot -- because this is a teaching activity. I'll keep checking
until I have two weeks when I don't have to do any correcting of
individuals' placement of books.

Most of the students like doing reshelving. They seem to have developed
pride in keeping the library neat and in order. In fact, many ask if there
are more books to reshelve when they have their browsing time.





Kathy Martin
Media Specialist
Dover-Eyota Elementary
27 Knowledge Rd.
Eyota MN  55934
(507)545-2632
kmmartin@de533.k12.mn.us

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