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On Fri, 4 Jan 2002, Josephine Dervan wrote:

> I have been following this thread with interest.
>
> Many years ago when I started in my first teaching job, one teacher
> often lost books from collections that she signed out for her class. I
> tried to get her to assume financial responsibility. However she was a
> good buddy of the principal. I was told by the principal that if a
> teacher took out a book and misplaced the book it was OK to forgive any
> fines. Reason: the book had been used by kids and for educational
> purposes. At the time I thought that it was favoritism. I learned much
> later that this was a wonderful piece of advice.
>
> I have never considered charging a teacher for a lost book since. I have
> discovered over the years that we are in fact, all on the same team. To
> antagonize a teacher over the cost of a book is foolish. What I do now
> is to suggest that that if the book does turn up later, just send it
> back. I make lots of friends that way. No matter how large a school is
> it is not helpful to have enemies.
>
> My Media Center is a friendly place where all are welcomed- teachers and
> students alike. If I make an enemy over a book it is not worth it. A
> class can sense when a teacher and a Media Specialist are on friendly
> terms and when they are not. It is easier for all to grit your teeth and
> forget the whole thing. You never know when you may need favor from
> her.
>

I agree with this - especially when a book has been lost in the line of
duty. I've had a couple teachers lose books they'd taken home, lost out
of carelessness and when they offered to pay, I accepted. But most losses
seem to occur in the classroom.

We can, however, give teachers some help. Some are more careful than
others and some need a gentle kick in the knickers to be
reminded/encouraged to be careful! I always give them a print-out
of their check-outs along with a few suggestions on how to keep track
of the books (e.g., you just borrowed 54 books... try counting them up
before kids leave at the end of the period).


J. Rathbun, Librarian                  | "You may say I'm a dreamer,
Mojave High School                     |  but I'm not the only one..."
Clark County School District           |
Las Vegas, Nevada                      |            John Lennon
Email: jrathbun@orednet.org            |




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