LM_NET: Library Media Networking
Wonderful, Wonderful....unlimited is what it is all about....restrictions only give
a
clear message to beginning readers (and others)...DON'T READ TOO MUCH!.!! I am sure
your kids are avid readers and know the joy of reading as a result of your policy -
GREAT!
LFP wrote:
> I can't resist responding to this hit. Why would you limit the number of books a
> child may check out, unless your collection is very small? Don't we as adults
> get unlimited check out at public libraries? Where will children learn how to
> handle unlimited check out unless they get the practice? I have unlimited check
> out in my K - 6 library, I lose very few books and I feel kids love to read
> here. When I first became a librarian, I did have a limit on the books a child
> could take. Then I noticed that the non readers, the children who did not like
> to read, etc. figured out that if they took 2 books home and left them there all
> year, they would never need to check out another book.......that convinced me
> that a limited check out was detrimental to my goal of all kids reading all the
> time....so I changed my policy, I have unlimited check out and it works for me.
> I feel it trains kids to be responsible for books and trains them for adult use
> of libraries.
> ML Potter
>
> Debra Ventling wrote:
>
> > Thanks to everyone who responded so quickly to my request for check out
> > policies. Someone requested a hit and it is worth reading because of the
> > variety of responses.
> >
> > Thanks again,
> > Deb Ventling
> > Berry Middle School
> > debravent@aol.com
> > ***I was the only librarian at an K-8 school library for 12 years. We
> > limited student checkout to two books. If a student had a project or report
> > as well as a good return record, we allowed them to get any materials they
> > needed. With a K student I encouraged the parents to check out additional
> > reading materials from us. This got them into the library and involved in
> > our program. I realized that often parents are working so I also tried to
> > accommodate special requests. We had one K student on the Accelerated Reader
> > program. She was gifted and reading by the age of three My philosophy with
> > the little ones was the more they are read to the better. The books don't do
> > anyone any good sitting on the shelves. I would use the caveat that the
> > books should also be returned in a timely manner. I had a few parents abuse
> > the privilege.
> >
> > ***I am totally amazed that your district has a check out policy. In my
> > experience that is a decision left to the building librarian. As a librarian
> > I would have a problem with the district making that decision for me. What
> > rationale do they have? While 2 books may be standard, I let my consistent
> > readers check out up to 5. When we are doing a reading incentive they can
> > check out as many as they want. Some kids with consistent overdues are
> > limited to one at a time (or none). I don't think there is one right answer.
> > Can schools issue parent cards? That may be a way around... Still, I vote
> > with the father.
> >
> > ***I permit first graders to check out one book, all others two, for two
> > weeks. They come weekly. I will permit another book if it is for a report.
> > I find many students return their books weekly, but many do not finish a
> > longer book in that time and must renew. I hate to turn down those who beg
> > for more but it is a practical matter. First, what kind of help do you have
> > with circulation and shelving? This is all that we can handle without more
> > paid help. Is your collection large enough to support increased circulation?
> > If you allow one student to have more books, the others want it just as a
> > matter of principle. If you had flexible scheduling, it would be a moot
> > point. In my old school, I had open library before school for half an hour
> > every day. Some kids were there almost every day. Some first grade teachers
> > sent kids during the day every
> > day so that they got a new book to read every day, even though it was just
> > one. But you need to be available and have staff to do the backup work.
> >
> > ***I usually have K take out one book, and then it goes up from there to a
> > maximum of six. The rule, however, is very flexible. If a child is a
> > voracious reader and the parent wants them to check out more books, I let
> > them. I also let the overdue policy slide a little with younger readers who
> > are reading 2 or 3 years above their reading level. I don't expect a second
> > grader to finish a 400 page book in a week. If they need a month, they get it.
> >
> > *** Our school system has not district policy on the number of books students
> > may check out...that is left up to the school. I can't speak for our middle
> > schools & high schools...though I remember when I was in high school back in
> > the early 1980's we could check out about as many as we wanted (could
> > carry...ha..). I'm in a primary school (pre-3) and I allow only 1 check out
> > for pre-2 and two for third grade. May want to keep in mind, are the middle
> > school students dependable enough to check out more books. How many books
> > does this parent want their child to be able to check out? Some of our elem.
> > schools allow pre-3 to check out two books and 4-5
> > to check out three I think. If you're willing you could do a "trial" month
> > to see. That's what I did when we lost our 4-5 grades. I told 3rd graders
> > they were on a "trial" basis with 2 book-checkout and if they demonstrated
> > they could deal with checking out two books...then that would benefit 3rd
> > graders from now on. They seem to do better than the 4-5 grades!
> >
> > ***I tell K-2 three books but never stop them if they go over. Third and
> > fourth are not limited unless they have outstanding overdues.
> >
> > ***Violating their rights? It sounds like a parent with a personal agenda to
> > me. I always thought being able to check out books in a school library was a
> > privilege, not a "right". Anyway, climbing down off the soapbox, we also
> > limit our kids to 2 books in grades 2-8, and 1 book in Pre-k, K, and grade 1
> >
> > ***We don't have "district" policy but I used to only allow two books (plus
> > other materials) because that's what I knew from my children's school
> > district. Last year I increased to three for personal reading plus
> > whatever's needed (within reason and availability) for research. I haven't
> > seen a problem with it at all.
> > .
> > ***I have different levels for grades. K and 1 may have 3 out at a time--2nd
> > up to five-- and 3rd- 5th may have up to ten. We limit all children to a
> > maximum of three Accelerated Readers at a time due to number of books. If a
> > child can't keep up with his books, he knows we will decrease what he can
> > have. If a child proves responsible, then we override the limits.
> > Fortunately, my collection has enough other books than Accelerated Readers to
> > support the numbers. Since we are on a total open schedule for circulation,
> > the kids find they don't need to take as many books at
> > a time. Sometimes, a child will be in the library 2-3 times in a day. The
> > longer readers come whenever they need.
> >
> > ***We actually state that the 2 is the MINIMUM that we would like them to
> > check out -- one to read during directed self-reading time (usually at grade
> > level; something they can read for themselves if grades 1 and up); and one at
> > whatever topic etc. that the child wishes. They are allowed to take whatever
> > they can carry. We do "suggest" at least 2 -- most are satisfied with that
> > and are assured they can return ANY DAY -- any time teacher will allow,
> > before and after school ALWAYS. We don't even flinch at up to 5 but do
> > verify with the child regarding responsibility of taking care of more than
> > that etc. etc. Most don't even get that many but LOVE the idea that they can
> > if they wish. We only limit when child has difficulty keeping track of the
> > books or if parents request. Then whatever the parent requests goes. Those
> > who are hronically
> > overdue/late/lost etc. are limited depending on situation -- and that varies
> > individually but is usually limited to 1 or 2 because of the black hole
> > syndrome. And on a personal parent note -- I would be one of those
> > complaining if my child were restricted to only 2 books. Especially if the
> > library was not on a flexible schedule. Even the lest reading child of my
> > six handled more than 2 books a week. Sometimes he had to have one or two
> > for an assignment and then IF I could get him to read a informational book
> > or fiction I sure did want him to be able to have that too. My
> > other children sometimes read 2-5 books a night and I am talking about
> > 200-250 pages or more, each book. So a 2 book limited would really have been
> > restrictive. Just my 2 cents worth. I'm sure my experience as a parent has
> > colored the way I see the "rules' of the library.
> >
> > Our policy is 3 books per student in grades 5-12 unless (1) the student is
> > working on a major research project in which case the limit goes up to 6
> > books (teacher must have notified me of
> > major research project in writing for this to kick in), or (2) the student
> > has a book more than one semester overdue in which case the student is
> > limited to 1 book in addition to the overdue item, or (3) the student has a
> > book more than one year overdue in which case the student is not allowed to
> > check out any additional books. I discussed possibility of unlimited
> > checkouts at PTSA meeting last year, but teachers, parents, and students were
> > definitely opposed. The most common comments were that three books are
> > enough to be responsible for, that we extend
> > privileges for class projects as needed, and that students may change books
> > during lunch if they can't get pass from teacher.
> >
> > I'd love to know what "right" a student has to unlimited checkouts -- I can't
> > think of any "rights" that might apply unless Ohio has legal provisions we
> > don't have in S.C. Like my friendly judge says, "If you can't say "my right
> > according to this provision of the Constitution or this law", then you ain't
> > got no "right"!
> >
> > I think each library has to set what works best for them. The size of the
> > collection, the maturity of the students, the circulation system (is it
> > electronic , or is it difficult to catch overdues, too many books out, etc.)
> > I'd say it is a violation of someones rights only if one child is allowed
> > more than another, and the limit on an individual is not based on legitimate
> > reasons (I would consider losing books, etc. just cause to limit different
> > from the rest of the building.) I hope this makes sense. I am in a middle
> > school, 6 years ago when I came the limit was 3. I do not have electronic
> > circulation, and when I did overdues I would find several students with 4-5
> > overdues. I then changed it to 2 and stuck to my guns. I am now installing
> > Follett and will be changing it to 4or 5, because the system will catch the
> > problems. Also, how often are the children allowed to come to the library?
> > The more often, the smaller the number should be.
> >
> > Good grief! Violating her rights, eh? This is a parent who needs
> > something bigger to think about - world hunger, maybe. Anyway...we also
> > restrict children to two books at that grade level, but if a parent (or
> > child) complains, this is what I do: I explain that we have the restriction
> > because we know how hard it is to keep track of books at home and we don't
> > want a child to become overwhelmed with lost or overdue books and come to be
> > afraid or angry about the library, a place we want her to love. That said,
> > if a parent would like a child to be allowed to borrow a greater number of
> > books, a signed noted to that effect can be sent to us, and we will up
> > that child's limit. You might think that this would have a ripple effect,
> > but, surprisingly, it doesn't. Most kids are quite happy with two books at a
> > time and say that they can keep track of two and return them when they want
> > new ones.
> >
> > This works for our K-4 school, K - 1 book per week, keep in classroom for
> > first semester, can take home second semester. Grade 1 - 1 book, Grade 2 - 2
> > books, 3 if child is a trusted patron (habitually returns books on time) 2nd
> > graders are also encouraged to return and check out before their scheduled
> > library time if they finish with their books. Grade 3 - 3 books, 4 if child
> > is a trusted patron, Grade 4 - "unlimited within reason" for a two-week check
> > out is needed, and most do. I don't want them to avoid checking out longer
> > chapter books because they think they may not be able to finish. Another
> > reason for "unlimited" is because they read to their K and 1st
> > grade buddies. I also encourage them to take out easy books to read to
> > younger siblings. They also may have classroom research and may just want to
> > check out informational books to meet their own interests. I tell our fourth
> > graders this year is their last chance to read all the books in our library.
> > Frankly, the liberal policy for 4th grade does not result in more lost books,
> > I've found. They love the additional responsibility and I just want them to
> > as much reading as they can possibly do.
> >
> > I let my 5th grade check out 1, my 6th grade check out 2. With 30 classes a
> > week, that's as many as I can handle for shelving.
> >
> > Our district has no policy. I limit 1st and 2nd graders..After that, when
> > asked, "How many may I check out?" My reply is,"How many can you be
> > responsible for?" -Of course above 4 I take note if child is responsible...
> > We are on flex so they can return often to get more/exchange what they
> > have
> >
> > **We generally follow the limits listed below. But, on a case-by-case basis
> > we do allow students to exceed the limit if they are avid readers, show
> > responsibility, etc., etc. K-1 1-3=2 4-5=3 6-8=5 9-12=no
> > limit, but after 10 the computer alerts us
> >
> > **We allow 1 book only to K - 1- and 2 grades, after Christmas the 2nd grade
> > will be allowed 2. 3rd and up are only allowed 3 at a time. I have never
> > had a complaint. I do have parents who would like their children to have
> > more books and I tell them that is fine if they want to come in and check out
> > books in their own name for their child. some do and some don't want to
> > bother but that is our policy. They seem to change their mind a little when
> > I remind them that they as a parent are responsible for lost or damaged books
> > their child may check out. They really think about the responsibility end
> > and if their child is ready for more books. If they are they check them out
> > in their own name.
> >
> > Oh for crying out loud.......my policy is one book for K-1, 2 books for 2-5,
> > and 3 books for 6-8. I'm open from 7:30 AM till 5:30 PM Monday through
> > Friday. A student can exchange books daily, hourly if need be. We have a
> > limited collection. I see no need for them to check out an armful of books
> > that they can't read all at once anyway......... I understand the public
> > libraries letting people check out armfuls of books since most people don't
> > walk by the library on a daily basis and it's more convenient for the patron
> > to check out lots of books at once. Our public library has a three week
> > check out time. I only have one week.....because the student can get in
> > and out daily.... sigh....good luck....what is the parents point???
> >
> > I work in a Middle High School Library (grades 7-12) and I DO NOT limit the
> > number of titles a student can check out UNLESS they have more than 5
> > overdues. Then they must return everything before they can check out more
> > books. So far, I haven't had any problems. I started the overdue limit
> > when I began having problems with prolific readers never returning anything.
> > I ended up calling a student's home when she had 20+ overdues, and I don't
> > ever want to have to do that again.
> > Just my 2c!
> > I couldn't imagine the adminsitration setting a limit to the amount of books
> > that could be check out. My district does it on a case by case basis. Some
> > students should only have one book at a time, others can handle the
> > responsibility of five or six. What do you do if the student has a research
> > assignment? If they have two books for that, then they wouldn't have any
> > room left over for recreational reading books.
> >
> > At our middle school, it's a four-book limit. I have no idea how having such
> > a policy violates anyone's rights, but if you find out that it does, please
> > share with the group.
> >
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