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Here is more on the subject...

Kimberly Rose
Library Media Specialist
Star Lake Elementary
Kent, WA
Federal Way S.D.
krose@fwsd.wednet.edu


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        At my last site (and that is one of the reasons that I am not
there now), we had after-school care in the Media Center.  It worked
wonderfully for everyone else except my assistant and I.  They had high
school students
in charge under the supervision of one teacher.  That teacher would leave
and work in her room because she was only "supervising the high school
students".  It was a disaster!  They were allowed to have snacks.  Food and
garbage was always left everywhere and not cleaned up.  Books were pulled
from the shelves and some were jammed back on.  Books came up missing....
I had put this whole scene in the back of my mind until my current
principal decided to start showing videos to one whole grade at recess
time on bad weather days in the Media Center.  This was because they
couldn't keep discipline in the classroom!!
        My advice is to politely point out the disadvantages and emphasize
the loss of books.

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dear kim-i always had some form of child care going on in my libraries at
the elementary level, sometimes two different programs at the same
time,while i was shelving,too.things were usually o.k.if you don,t mind
puzzle pieces and legos left lying around. i got an earful of bad vibes
from one of the workers,which helped me understand my little
darlingsbetter.the worst problem was,of course,spilled drinks.two jugs of
red juice were spilled all over the carpet. make sure you have some
agreement with your principal about regular cleaning/replacement if this
happens to you. i hollered enough at kids that they stopped pulling books
off the shelveswhen i wasn't there,but i did have a big box of discards
they were wlcometo read.while this wasn't a perfect situation,i feel that
the good will gathered in the community is probably helpful.these 12 and
under kids will,i hope,remember the library with good feelings.after all
school and public libraries both rely upon he tax dollar,which,needs the
public's good will for increasesand bond issues for new buildingsand
budgets

*************************************
When I first started at my school (as a volunteer parent - now I'm the
full-time librarian, lower grades music teacher, and school liturgy
coordinator!) the before and after care program used the library.  It was
HORRIBLE.  Especially the little ones - they pulled books off shelves,
touched EVERYTHING in hands reach, and made a mess.

Now that I am in the Library full time, the school has made other
arrangements and gave them access to classrooms.  Thank goodness.  It
really was a nightmare.  I didn't have much say at the time, because I was
just a volunteer, but thankfully the administration realized that, if we
were trying to build up the Library and its proper use, having before and
after care using the facility was not going to work.  (of course, other
groups still use the Library after hours, but that's a whole other issue!
Don't get me started!  lol  )If I were you, I would steer them in a
different direction!  Good luck!

*************************************

They use the cafeteria at my school. Since the stage is in the cafeteria
that gives the child care providers a place to store supplies, games,
toys, books, a small refridgerator, etc.  Hope this helps.

*************************************

I would definitely register my opposition to this. I have a friend whose
media center is used for an after-care program as well as Sunday Morning
church services and it is always in disarray.  She doesn't know how many
books she has lost due to the groups using the media center after hours,
and her clerk spends far too much of her limited time putting books back
on the proper shelves and picking them up off the floor and the odd places
they are
found. She also has complained that the furniture is in different places
every day! PS Our before school program is held in the classrooms and
after school it is large so it is in the cafeteria.

*************************************

I would have the same gut reaction as yours.  While I have hosted special
after school programs such as storytellers that my local parents
organizations sponsored and have always admitted the few kids who wanted to
hang out when I was working late.  I would not allow the regular daily
after school child care program in the library when I wasn't going to be
there. The schools where I have worked, have generally used the cafeteria
for this
program.  With the fold away cafeteria tables and benches they had room
and facilities to provide both active and quiet activities.  Of course I
did "donate" some things like books and AV stuff I was weeding.

*************************************

Good luck, Kimberly! I guess it all depends on the people hired to run the
program. When I was at the elementary level, the first group of workers
were really good; it was the second year I had any problems. Students were
permitted to pull books from the shelves and just leave them for ME to put
back (as if I didn't have enough to do...I was the only one working in the
library with an occasional volunteer!!!)After I complained about that,
they were
permitted to look at books that were in the return bin; this was stopped
when a couple kids walked off with books that hadn't been cleared off
other students' accounts! Let's see, then there was the issue of chairs
being left all over the place, which became a hassle when my first group
of students was due 15 min later (and when I say hassle, believe me!!!I
asked the person in charge if she could just have the kids put them back
before she dismissed them, and she started screaming at me...it was a big
problem, involving the principal..geez, how difficult is it to start
getting them ready a min or two earlier???!) Then, they decided to show
them videos...the principal finally agreed with me that they shouldn't use
curriculum based ones after another teacher complained...sooo they stated
bringing them from home and Blockbuster (I finally put a note in writing
to the principal, saying I can't be held responsible for this copyright
infraction since I have advised against it, explaining that videos for
home use could not be shown in a public performance, etc...Fortunately, I
left after that!!!!And this was just a before school program...the
afterschool program was at the middle school!!!Hopefully others had better
experiences than I had, and will share other words of
wisdom!!!

*************************************

How are they planning on handling this?  Will they pay you extra to run
it, will they have an aide working it or what?  I have kept libraries open
from 6:30AM until around 6PM.  I had control of the situation so it was no
problem.  If it were someone else doing it then you are asking for
problems. If they do have someone else doing it you should keep accurate
records including pictures of how you left the library and how it was the
next day. An inventory would also be nice to do to show just how much it
is costing the school.  If they do not control the kids at those times
then you will have additional discipline problems with the kids during
school time.

*************************************

Kimberly,  I have it after school for homework purposes.  It has been in
the library for 20 years.  It gets worse every year, it seems.  A lot
depends on the caretakers.  I generally find them very noisy and some
years out of control.  Try if you can to get them either or, but not both,
you'll never get any work done.  Also, NO FOOD!!!!  The classroom that had
them for snack was a disaster with spilled drinks and food smashed into
the carpeting.  Both of us
lost personal items we used to decorate our rooms.  I have had stuffed
animals stolen, or damaged, teaching materials misplaced and damaged.  I
have had to set up very specific rules and will tell the extended day
supervisor when they are not being followed.  I frequently have to step in
and discipline the library groups (there are three 4 & 5 from 4-5 and 2nd
grade from 5 - 5:30). I try to keep a good relationship with the
supervisor (I always give her a
Christmas gift, even though she is Jewish).  I have also insisted that
noone comes on Fridays, it is my only free afternoon of the week.  In the
mornings I usually have meetings or foreign language classes.  Our morning
Extended Day meets in the cafeteria and gym.  The afternoon Extended Day
meets in the cafeteria for snack, except K, then they rotate through
outside recess, games and crafts, and homework (in the library and art
room). You probably will have to share  your space, but try to control how
it is used.

*************************************

We had an after school program in the Library the last 2 years.  If the
supervisor is really aware it is a great thing, if not it is a disaster.
Our first one was wonderful, the second, the Library was a  mess every
day.  Consequently, we are not having them any more in the Library.

*************************************

I have a little experience with this. Here are a few suggestions before
you even begin.

Make sure parents and students see and sign a written list of
expectations. Be firm when removing violators after one or two warnings. A
few disruptive kids ruins it for everybody. Of course those parents won't
believe you so
stick to your guns.

Food is an issue since they need/want after school snacks. You'll have to
decide what's acceptable in your facility.  Good Luck!

*************************************

Who will be responsible for them?  Will they pay if materials are damaged?
What activites are planned?  Will there be food and drinks?  I'd say no
myself; this just opens up too many possible problems.  It also takes away
from the professional view of the library as an information and research
center; we are not babysitters.

*************************************

I would say no way as well.  They will abuse your furniture, the books,
etc. We do our child care in a prek classroom and a portable classroom.

*************************************

Hi Kim,
  I have 5 schools and we are now having before and after school care at
two of them.  My boss tells me that parents want this and in a few short
years we will have it at every school.  One of them uses the computer lab
which is right off the library.  It is a fairly small group  - 6-8 kids in
it.  Lots of times they go outside or to the gym.
  The newest one is about to start and I am dreading it.  It is the
smalest school but the parents will make big use of day care.
  My libraries also get used for the Good News Club ( religious club ).
Most are about 12 -15 kids, but again the smallest school has around 30 in
it. They scheduled this to coincide with the day I am at these
schools....don't know
why, but next year it will be different.  The mess was unbelievable and
the noise level horrendous.  The janitor and I took matters into our own
hands and put down some rules.  It is getting better now that they know we
mean
business. I can't imagine what it would be like if I wasn't there to
watch...but it is time that I can't get anything done.  I can't
concentrate or move around the room.  I feel like I have to stay in
"teacher" mode to supervise behavior.
I hope they find someplace else for yours.

*************************************

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