Some of what I tell my teachers may be slightly exaggerated, but if it isn't
exactly right, it should be. I point out that I'm not allowed to give them books
that I have discarded. I explain that if the books were good enough for them to
use, then I shouldn't be discarding them. I remind them of segregated schools in
the south where black school chidren used the discarded library books and textbooks
from white schools, and how horrible that was. I point out to them that they have
never checked out the books that they can not live without, and if they are so
good, then why didn't you ever check them out?
Then I get permission to sell my old books 3 for a quarter, to students only, with
the stipulation that the books must never come back on campus again. I encourage my
students to pick books that they can read, may one day read, or that they may want
to cut out pictures from and use to write their own story, illustrate a report.
Students come in with a dollar, and walk out with a bag full of books. They come
back and tell me that they used a milk crate for a book shelf, and that those are
the only books in their house.
I know it sounds like a contradiction--that I'm selling books that are not good
enough to use.
But I think the materials we use in school must be appropriate: in good condition,
current, and relevant to what the students are studying. We owe it to our students
to provide good resources. I also am glad to provide them a chance to own books.
(We do two book fairs a year, gross about $1000 a fair, so our old book sale is not
their only chance to buy books. I would be surprised if I sold 5 hardbacks to
students.) I try to include worn but complete books, and throw away the ones that
are in pieces. After the sale has been going on for a couple of days, I reduce
prices even more: six for a quarter. I usually have about 20 books left when we
close up. They go on the shelf in our workroom until the next sale.
It works for us.
The children love the fun of the hunt for an interesting book, but don't mind
settling for less than perfect. It's only a quarter. Parents are willing to give up
a quarter. I get rid of books without having to sneak out to the mpster.Teachers
will actually give their students a quarter to shop--and the books do go home. (The
few that turn up again go on that shelf in the workroom to be sold again.)
It may not work everywhere, but it works for us.
Mary H.
Elementary Media Specialist
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