MID: Library Open in Summer

[Dorian <dgarbin@PTDPROLOG.NET>]

Hello!

I would like to propose to our school board that we open the library every
other Wednesday next summer for students to check out books.  We have a
great fiction collection that is shortchanged during the school year because
of the busy lives of our students.  I don't want to run a summer reading
program, which might compete with our local public library.  I'm paid for 5
days in the summer anyway, and if we make it 10, we can "kill two birds with
one stone" by making the books available to the kids, but allowing me time
to work.

Do any of you do this?  What pitfalls should I look out for?  These are the
ones I've come up with:

Do we include students from other schools?  If so, do you require a deposit
to ensure payment of fines and lost books?

My collection is heavy on middle school age and young adult books, but since
we have 9th grade, I also have a good amount of adult fiction.  I also have
about 50 picture books.  Will I get too many elementary students?  How can I
target grades 7-9 who are not included in the public library summer reading
program?

I'm sure I will need to send out overdue notices.  Will the postage be great?

I'm sure I will get some kids who will hang out all day.  I don't really
have a problem with that, as long as they are doing productive things.  I
also run a board game and puzzle club during the year, so there are plenty
of these as well as 8 computers.  Do you see any problems?

I have two aides and 3 other librarians in the district who could sub for me
if i can't make it one day (vacation,etc.)  One of them (elem.) is planning
to do the same thing.  We thought we would work opposite Wednesdays so there
would be one library open per week.

I'd appreciate and feedback, thoughts, to make this successful!  TIA

Dorian

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Dorian Garbin
Library Media Specialist
Salisbury Middle School
Allentown, PA
dgarbin@ptdprolog.net
"I could not live without books."  Thomas Jefferson
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