LM_NET: Library Media Networking
Thanks so much to everyone who responded to my request for a firm but
tactful message to place on teachers' overdue notices. I received many
responses, so I will break my hit into two categories. LM Netters either
sent to me an actual overdue message or suggestions on how to deal with
the problem.
The following hit contains suggested messages. I sincerely apologize if I
left anyone out.
********************
If you want to be serious simply put something like: Please return the
following library materials to the media center. If we could get them
back by November 3rd it would be greatly appreciated.
If you wanted to go with a little more fun approach...maybe a wanted
poster:
Wanted...the following materials to be returned to the media
center...dead or alive...list the materials...
at the bottom...reward: Hershey's Kiss for every title returned and huge
amounts of appreciation!
********************
Could you use something such as save the library--recycle??? I have seen
some cute clip art of kids carrying a whole stack of books or something
similar...might get the message across without quite so much bite...on the
other hand if they are that delinquent it might take a lot more force!
********************
I attach a form that says (more or less). Enclosed is a list of
materials we
think you have checked out please circle one of the following:
I returned these, you must be mistaken.
I am still using these, please renew them.
Sorry, here they are...I forgot.
Etc. the tone is light, but the message is clear. I keep sending
them every week until the teacher returns the form and takes an
appropriate
action. i use bright paper so it doesn't get lost on their desks.
********************
"Please help me reconcile the library's circulation records. The
system shows you have the following materials. If this is not
correct, please let me know. If it is correct, please tell me when
you expect to return them so I can set a new due date."
********************
How about: Our records show that you still have the following books
checked
out. Would you please locate them and return them to the library as soon
as
possible. Thanks!
********************
I would say something to the effect that along with the new job you found a
lot of loose ends. The records indicate that you have the following
materials checked out. Please check around for them and return them so I
can get our inventory up to date.
********************
Since you are new to the building, you may say something on the order of
"the records show this" and I don't find the book, do you still have
it?....Then at faculty meeting or ?? let them know that in future you
expect the books to come in at the end of the school year.
********************
As the new library media specialist I think it would be very professional
of
you to say something to the effect that "in an effort to be accountable for
our collection and to really evaluate it's usefulness" you would like to
have all books returned so you could really see what you got and where you
need to go with your collection development!
********************
As a new staff member I drafted a letter
thanking them for the warm welcome (whether they had done it or not!)
(kept them on their toes, ha, ha!) Then I told them that it had come to
my attention that a large number of materials had been circulated over
the past few years and appear to have not been returned or were lost.
Tell them the total value of the replacement of the lost materials. (a
real eye opener for some-use bright paper) Attach a list of overdue
items checked out in their name. "Please check your classroom, desk and
closet. Return or renew materials that have been found so that we may
update our database records so they will accurately reflect our
holdings. If materials that are curriculum related are lost we will try
to find replacement titles. Thank you for your cooperation." I would
give them a date to return by (a wk or so) and after that date send a
second request reminder with a tear off or check off list. The following
items are L=lost, R=need to be renewed, X=I am returning this now. (Keep
copies) Then if you still don't get a response go room to room to ask
if a student or parent volunteer could search the room if they do not
have time. (that will definitely get a response)
********************
At the top of mine, I put:
Forget something? These materials are overdue. Please let us know if you
would like to renew!
I would also Xerox a little note and staple to each notice that says
something to the effect that you are trying to catch up on overdues...to
please let you know if they think a mistake has been made...thanking them
for their help...and also put a piece of candy on it! Not every time,
just this first time of doing a major roundup.
********************
I'd start very simply with a note saying "Our records show that you have
the
following materials out: Do you still need these or can these be
returned so others have use of them. Please let us be of service to you."
********************
We send notices that "You still have these materials"
or "We need these materials"
or "ARe you still USING these materials"
or "Another teacher needs these materials"
or "A student needs these materials"
rather than OVERDUE notices to teachers.
********************
Include: other patrons have not had access to the material since the
material has not been returned. Along with that, put the total replacement
cost from your current budget to provide replacements.
********************
I would put in your message - You have these items checked out
- If you are finished with them please return ASAP.
********************
Dear (name)
Our records show that you have the following items checked out. Please
renew any materials that you still need for the classroom. Please return
any
items you no longer are using.
********************
I send a note with the overdue list that asks teachers to return what they
are finished with and let me know what they need renewed. I also ask them
to let me know if they can't find something.
********************
It's best not to call it an
overdue notice. I just sent out lists saying that these items were in this
person's name and we were trying to gather them all up so that, as a new
person, I can keep track of and learn more about the collection.
********************
This is a list of books we think you have checked out from our
library. Please look around to return those you have finished with, and
let
us know any you are still using.
********************
We have on-going message to teachers. Sort of a confirmation that they
still have the books and if they are no longer using them, please return.
********************
What about this: send them a
note saying you are conducting an audit of available materials (which is
actually what you are doing in a way) and our records indicate that you
have
checked out the following books (and send them a list) which we need
either
returned or renewed in order to complete our audit. Then a "thanks for
your
help" and have the note co-signed by the principal if you have a helpful
one.
********************
I would just write a little note asking if they still
have the material and suggest that it be returned so
others would have it available.
********************
My teachers get the standard overdue notice - same as
sent to students. (They have a 6 week, instead of 3
week, check-out). I always write on it that if they
are still using the materials, please let me know.
********************
Here's the wording I use on my checkout notices (I don't call them
overdue notices for staff).
Dear ________ (filled in by the circ system),
The following items are checked out to you. If you no longer need them,
please return them to the library as soon as possible so others can use
them. If you are still using them, please let us know so that we can renew
them for you. Thank you.
********************
"Our records show that you have the following materials checked
out.These are overdue. If they are not being used, I would appreciate
you returning the items so that others may use them. If you would like
to renew them, please let me know. Thank You."
On the list always include the date due and the cost of the items.
********************
I send teachers overdue notices about 3 times a year. I just print
out the list and send it with a note that says:
These books have been checked out to you. Could you please check
your room and try to find them?
********************
Dear Teacher,
You have had the following materials checked out since... Please
return
all materials that you are not using on your current units so that others
may
use them. If you need to continue to use an item, please bring it to the
library for renewal.
Thank you for understanding.
sincerely,
********************
Maybe you could include something about trying to "clean up" your records
and ask them to indicate which books from the list they are still using so
that you can recheck them. You could also ask them to indicate which ones
are not in their room that you'd like to see if they've gotten returned to
the shelves withouth being checked in.
********************
Please let us know whether you wish to renew these overdue materials as
soon as possible. Other teachers or students may need them.
********************
I'm not a fanatic about overdues, but I try to send reminders to
teachers 3 or 4 times during the year. The notices say "this is what
the computer says you have signed out. Please keep what you need, but
return what you are finished with so others may use it. If there is a
mistake, please let us know so we can correct our records."
********************
"According to our records, you still have the following items from the
library/media center. Please return these items as soon as possible so
that
other staff members may use them. Thanks!" If possible, list the date
borrowed or date due prominently on the list itself.
********************
"Our staff members are our greatest library users. Our staff of only 75
has
signed out 1,012 items since 1996, but 927 of them are still checked out!
Please return the following items so others may use them!"
********************
Please let us know if you still have these books so we can update
our inventory. If you no longer need the books, please return them but
feel free to keep them if they are still being used.Thanks for your help.
********************
1st notice--
A Friendly Reminder from the XXX Library:
According to our records you have the following materials overdue. Please
return or renew them at your earliest convenience.
A second notice:
A Friendly Reminder from the XXX Library:
According to our records you have the following materials overdue. Please
return them as soon as possible.
A third notice:
A Friendly Reminder from the XXX Library:
According to our records you have the following materials overdue. Please
return them immediately as they are needed in the library for other
patrons.
********************
FYI, these books are checked out in your name...if you have them, please
bring them to LMC to renew.
********************
"In becoming acquainted with the collection and procedures in our library,
I
have noticed that there are a number of books that appear not to have been
returned at the end of last year. Please help me update the records by
checking the attached list and letting me know what you are still using
and
what might have been returned already. If you are still using some items,
you can renew them by bringing them back to be reissued."
********************
Marina Branner
School Library Media Specialist
St. Andrew's School
Middletown, DE
(302)285-4289
mbranner@standrews-de.org
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