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Here is part II of the question of importance of having a sink in the media center: ************************************* >From J.S., CA: Ours is a new library/media center with a sink behind the counter that according to our architect and district manager had to be accessible for the handicapped. You might try check with your state (or maybe its a federal requirement) regarding health, safety issues in regards to a washing area??? Hope this helps. *************************************** >From L.G., NV: It is very important to have a sink in the Media Center. Reasons: 1. Library books, especially those recently handled by grubby hands are "dirty", and therefore a librarian and staff often need to wash hands. Newspapers are also dirty and require handwashing after handling, a daily occurrence. 2. Sometimes projects in library require water, as in mixing tempera paints, and then, of course, cleaning up afterward. 3. Always, the materials used to repair damaged library books require the use of water to mix, thin pastes, etc. 4. If the library is ever used for receptions, meetings, etc., it is necessary to have a sink for filling coffee pots, etc., and cleaning up afterward. The thought of having to run to the office or teacher's lounge every time my hands required washing, or a sticky table top needed cleaning is absurd. ************************************ >From D.W., OH: A sink is critical. I couldn't repair books without one. And my tables...I certainly couldn't afford graffiti spry and old fashioned cleansers require a lot of rinsing. ************************************** >From C.T.: Do you have a school nurse? Perhaps s/he could better explain the importance of a sink to administration. I truly believe no one is exposed to more germs than those of us in libraries! In addition, how about students who come in with candy/ink/etc. on their fingers whom I lead to the sink before I let them loose on the books! How about the problem of some of the materials we work with--newsprint from papers, glue for repair that must be washed off? I just can't imagine a media center without a sink! I hope you get gazillions of answers to use for ammunition. **************************************** >From G.J., OR: Ya gotta havasink! with all the glues, stickies, student projects, etc. and don't forget -- every library has dirty books! Ask your admin/architect, etc. to transfer a shelf of books from one shelf to another then look at their hands! Besides, what about student/staff meetings, birthday parties, etc No sink? Might as well have no windows (oops!). ****************************************** >From L.L., KY I think a sink is very important. I am in an old building with a small library, but I have a sink. It is used everyday and it would be a great inconvenience to do without it. It is especially convenient when we are mending books and into other messy projects. ***************************************** >From J.S., MO: Yes, yes, yes. A sink is an absolute essential in the library. How else could we wash off the jelly, syrup and sundry other things that sometimes coat the returned books. How would we get the ink off our fingers when working with printers gone amuck? How else could we clean off our tables? What would all the people hosting functions for one event or another and using the library as the hospitality center do to prepare the coffee and other drinks? I could go on and on, but I thank my lucky stars every day that the person who designed my room had the forethought to put a sink in my little office. I call it my office, but at a lot of other functions it is the kitchen, even if it does just have a sink. Beg, plead and cry if necessary, but GET THAT SINK. ************************************** >From V.M., TN: A sink is necessary in the library unless your principal wants you to make frequent trips down the hall to wash your hands! Librarians still use glue in processing and mending materials. Newsprint rubs off as you prepare the morning papers for circulation. Materials that are not frequently used get dusty and your hands get dirty as you handle them. Students' hands, bookbags, lockers...and yes, homes...are seldom clean as they should be and handling returned items is a good way to pick up germs and viruses, spreading colds. Then there's the occasional student nosebleed or sick stomach that make sinks handy to have nearby! I vote for a complete restroom in the library suite! I'm so tied to my area during the day (1-person job, no aide) that I have to leave the library unattended if I have to go to the restroom. If I had to leave everytime I needed to wash my hands, that would be a major inconvenience as well as a health hazard. Does he have a restroom and sink available in his office suite? I'd guess that he does...and would fight to keep them! ******************************************** >From G.F., FL: Yes to the sink!!!!!! We couldn't live without it -- whether for washing peanut butter off book covers, wiping down sticky tables after faculty meetings, watering plants, getting set up for meetings, etc. Matter of fact, I think every media center needs a rest room, if only for faculty use. Good luck! ******************************************** >From L.H., TX: I use my sink MANY times each day: Books are DIRTY, and if I have been shelving, weeding, or otherwise handling lots of books, my hands are actually gray. Sometimes books require a damp wash to remove sticky messes on the cover. Books and library cards transfer germs - I wash with soap and water between each class. (In fact, I advocate a sink in every classroom for this reason!) Repairing books is messy - glue, etc. I can do a quick clean-up. My library is used for staff meetings weekly, organization meetings, grade level meetings, volunteer teas, showers, etc. The sink is essential for cleaning-up. Every school library where I went to school or where I have worked had a sink in the workroom - it just doesn't make sense not to have one! ****************************** Karen Voigts, Librarian L.E.White Middle School, Allegan, MI kvoigts@accn.org =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-= To quit LM_NET (or set NOMAIL or DIGEST), Send an email message to listserv@listserv.syr.edu In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL or 3) SET LM_NET DIGEST * NOTE: Please allow time for confirmation from Listserv. For LM_NET Help & Archives see: http://ericir.syr.edu/lm_net/ =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=