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In response to Devona's post: I do circulate textbooks from the library. The central textbook room is located right next to the library. It was planned that way in our new building with data jacks. I just wish there had been a pass through door so that students could pick up their texts directly from that room. We put the texts on carts in the library and create a trail where students pick up a text for each subject and proceed to checkout. I suppose there are those who think that my head should be examined for volunteering to do this. There are many advantages, but to list a few: 1) I had the knowledge of how it could work, 2) it takes a load off of the teachers, 3) does it more efficiently 4) saves the building money and 5) creates reports that can't be done in a manual system. We use the same computer equipment to check out textbooks and library books. They are separate programs, but synchronized, eliminating duplicate patron entry. The textbook program is much simpler to use than the library program. Textbook barcodes can be entered by ranges (assuming you barcoded them that way) instead of one-by-one. You don't need to follow MARC record rules. I put down the Dept, course, book title and even the color of it if there is confusion. I researched how such programs were used in other districts. I would do this ONLY if it were done centrally and in an efficient manner. I heard of some district where every single class came to (in this case) the computer teacher's room to check out every individual text one by one. I have students come through once and get all books at one time. At the beginning of the year we have a new students orientation. They pick up their schedules and come through the library for their books at that time. That takes care of most of the 9th graders and students new to the building. The rest of the student body and those who didn't make the new students orientation come through the library using the same schedule for student ID picture taking. Half of the classes each period report to the photographer for their pictures, the other half to the library for their books. When they're done with the photographer they go to the library and vice versa. We established a list of books that can be checked out for the year and those that were semester classes. We established building-wide policies and procedures for textbooks that went into student handbooks with letters requiring parent & students signatures acknowledging these policies. If a student had a text out from that department, they didn't get another from that department until the first was either returned or paid for. We checked with the district first. Provision was made for exceptions to these policies. I do not check out a text for a student who left his/her book at home that day. We established an action plan for using this software effectively. In addition to policies, procedures and acknowledging letters giving prices of textbooks students are sent lists of what they have out a week before the end of each semester. Notices are attached to report cards that have every overdue library and textbook. Two weeks after report cards are mailed we have a volunteer group of parents who make phone calls to those who haven't returned their texts. Volunteer parents also help distribute and collect the textbooks at the beginning and end of the year. We collect textbooks during finals. Results Last year was our first year of circulation. At the end of the year we had $17,000+ worth of textbooks out. Using the practices above we have reduced the value of textbooks still due from June 2001 to $4880. I also print spreadsheets and distribute them to the Instructional Council. It has been an education to all involved. Teachers see letters to students listing 7 textbooks out and their value. I had one dept head tell me that he thought I was crazy when I started this, but now he sees what we've accomplished. I actually had a parent come in, tell me his son had lost his books, and pay for them before new texts were issued. This had to be a first - you could have knocked me over with a feather. The assurance I gave the parent was that if the text showed up, the textbook program printed a refund notice. In January 2002 went from 91 pages of combined (library and textbook) transaction reports to 61 pages. Reports cards included notices and the parents made phone calls last week. I'll run another transaction list to track the results on Monday. We use Follett's Unison and Textlink program. -- Sue Weiss Librarian Ballard High School Seattle Public Schools 206-252-1121, fax 206-252-1001 sweiss@seattleschools.org =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-= All postings to LM_NET are protected under copyright law. To quit LM_NET (or set-reset NOMAIL or DIGEST, etc.) send email to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL or 3) SET LM_NET DIGEST 4) SET LM_NET MAIL * Please allow for confirmation from Listserv. For LM_NET Help see: http://ericir.syr.edu/lm_net/ Archives: http://askeric.org/Virtual/Listserv_Archives/LM_NET.shtml See also EL-Announce for announcements from library media vendors: http://www.mindspring.com/~el-announce/ =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=