Hit:Owed Library materials

[Jean Bickel <jbickel@JTASD.K12.PA.US>]

Dear Barb,
I posted this hit in February.  Since there is still interest in the =
answers, I'll post it again.
Jean

Subject:     HIT:Students Who Owe Materials
Sent:        2/9/98 2:25 PM
To:          LM_NET mail, LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU

Dear Librarians,
 I knew that this was a wonderful group of people, but in just 2 days =
94 librarians responded to my TARGET: Students who owe materials. =
Fantastic! I received a total of 100 responses.  Initial posted =
question-

Dear Librarians,
 What is you policy about students who owe materials?  Do you allow =
them to sign out other books until they pay for the "lost" materials?
  I will post a HIT if I get enought responses.  Thank you for your =
help.
Jean

 The breakdown of responses is:
28 Elementary
19 Middle/Jr. High
28 High School
24 District-it didn't say which level and I could not tell which one =
it was
Responses were from coast to coast and public and private schools.

                                HIGH SCHOOL
from 28 responses-25 do not let students sign out anything more.  1 =
also charges a $10.00 processing fee with the cost of the book. 1 =
Student also gets detention.
                   1 only allows check out if less that $5.00 is owed
                   1 depends on the student and the situation
                   1 wants students to read so allows check outs

                          MIDDLE/JR. HIGH SCHOOL
from 19 responses-10 do not let students sign out anything more.
                1 also no library visits
                1 also no computer use.
                1 also no school dances.
                1 also restricts if ancient or astronomical
        1 also restricts if very long
                1 also turns over to Business office
                2 it depends on the amount or student
                1 can sign out materials if owe less than $2.00

                                             ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
from 28 responses-18 do not let students sign out anything more.
        3 do not allow sign out unless it is for a class
                2 it depends
                1 Principal says all students will have 2 books signed out
                1 Parent will pay for it by May 1
                1 Said 2 different things
                1 Allows sign out to continue
                1 Wasn=B9t sure what to do

                                                 DISTRICT WIDE
from 24 responses-15 do not allow students to sign out anything more.
Of these 15-
                2 no library visits
  1 lunch with the Vice Principal
                1 can work off the fine or cost
                4 Allow with parent contact
                2 Depends
                1 Students asks nicely, then they can have a book
                1 Allows students to have one missing
                1 Allows if needed for class

        As you can see at all levels most do not allow any additional =
borrowing.  If additional borrowing is allowed it is for school work =
only with only a few exceptions.  Some have additional penalties as =
listed, but the following statements say it all.  =B3If they have =
overdues, their "credit" is bad - a bank wouldn't make a new loan to =
someone who had not paid for the current one=B2.   =B3I tell them we =
are your local utility (electric/phone).  You don't clear your bills =
with them, you don't get service=B2.  Judging by the responses this =
is an ongoing problem in many school libraries.  Thank you for such =
prompt responses.
Jean


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Jean Bickel, High School Librarian           JBickel@jtasd.k12.pa.us  =

    http://www.jtasd.k12.pa.us/highschool/library/libraryhp.html
The Internet is just mass confusion without the help of a librarian!

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