Netters,
Please excuse this mixed bag of question, comment, and random thoughts but
several small incidents have melded in my mind to pose these questions:
When does a lost book "cost too much" to replace, and is the spiraling
(potential) cost of paying to replace them beginning to deter students from
full library access?
Situation #1:
Student loses/misplaces two (nearly new) library-bound books. After
responding to the student with additional time to find them, (and
consulting the student's teacher about the home situation)I send a "Lost
Book" notice home with the amount of the books ($18 each) to be reimbursed
to the school. Several weeks later, a second note is sent and the note is
returned with a note from the parent attached stating that "the books cost
too much" and the parent wants catalogs to find the books at a cheaper
price. Or, the parent is willing to select "similar" books she's seen at
the local bookstore which "are cheaper." (The parent does NOT imply that
the amount is a financial burden, but rather indicates that she often
orders books - she just DOES NOT WANT TO PAY the stated cost). When I check
the catalog, the books can be purchased in either the library-bound edition
or in a less expensive, less durable binding.
Situation #2:
Student loses/misplaces two books. Note send home with replacement amount
of about $10 per book. Student brings in two old, dirty library-bound books
purchased at a public library sale (stamped "Deleted from X library" in
multiple places inside the books)instead of payment. Books obviously not
suitable for an "even exchange", but this student most likely does come
from a financially restricted home. Books are sent back with a note (after
consultation with teacher)that the books are not suitable replacements. A
few days later, one of the "lost" books is returned - marked in several
places with crayons and ink. No payment for the missing book.
Situation #3:
Despite the number of new books on the shelves, I notice that some students
consistently check out really old or dilapidated paperbacks. (This is my
first year at this site and I would have weeded those out had I been here
last year). I'm beginning to wonder (as I see this pattern) if they choose
these because losing them would not be a burden financially, or do they
really want to read these particular titles? My concern is also that if it
is a financial issue, are they restricting themselves from books they
really should check out (like nonfiction for interest or required
research/reports - most of our paperbacks are fiction)?
Point of contemplation:
With the current downturn in the economy affecting many families and with
the escalating cost of new books, how do we determine what is a fair
replacement policy? And will the concern over paying steep replacement
costs for newer books cause some students to "self-censure" their
selections due to a potentially exorbitant replacement price? Do we keep
items that we should discard for the sole purpose of having a selection for
these students?
If we do allow an "even exchange" of a book from home for a lost book, how
do we prevent the brand new books from rapidly disappearing and being
replaced with unsuitable or less desirable materials?
Joanne Ladewig
Library Aide
Lawrence Elementary, G.G.U.S.D
Garden Grove, California
shatz1@earthlink.net
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