Hi all,
I will weigh in on this topic also. I do not believe fines to be a
motivator for returning books at the lower grade levels. Elementary kids
don't have money, and if they did, they mostly don't value money, so mom and
dad are the ones who are paying the fine, and face it, two cents a day isn't
going to be much of a motivator for them either. It is not worth my time
and effort to hold up an eight year old for ten cents. We discontinued
fines in the elementary ten years ago, and found it made virtually no
difference in the number of overdues we had, or how many notices we were
writing. It DID make a difference that I wasn't having to chase kids down
for money. However, I do believe at the upper grade levels that fines can
be a motivating factor. When kids are earning their own money, and spending
it to pay fines, they begin to appreciate the value of their money, and the
need to pay attention to the due dates on their books. This is a life skill
for older kids, as libraries are not the only organizations that charge
fines -- think video stores, late payments on credit card bills, etc. Just
my two cents worth,
Linda Lucke
Linda Lucke
LC Director
Butterfield School
Libertyville, IL
Llucke@d70.k12.il.us
----- Original Message -----
From: "The DeFranks" <knarfed@VOICENET.COM>
To: <LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU>
Sent: Friday, November 05, 2004 9:03 AM
Subject: Re: [LM_NET] Late library books
> I'm replying to the whole list because I think this is a good topic for
> discussion.
>
> I am against fines for late books. Here's a list of reasons:
> 1. not important - I want the book back, not the money.
> 2. too busy - I teach 500 kids a week. When I'm not teaching I'm getting
> ready to teach, writing overdue reminders, etc. I don't have time to track
> down kids for library fines.
> 3. public relations - If you want people to use your library you have to
be
> a friendly place. No one wants to cough up a few cents for a late book.
> 4. budget concerns - I have a decent budget and run two profitable book
> fairs. I don't need the money.
>
> Karen DeFrank, LMS
> Bullock School
> Glassboro NJ
> knarfed@voicenet.com
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Reisdorf, Stacy <reisdorfs@DISTRICT87.ORG>
> To: <LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU>
> Sent: Friday, November 05, 2004 9:48 AM
> Subject: [LM_NET] Tar: Late library books
>
>
> Hi all --
>
> I have a policy question -- how do you handle late library books and
fines
> accrued if that student was sick. Our policy is that you are still
> responsible for the late books if you are home sick. It seems to me that
> the public library doesn't excuse you from a fine if you are sick. Am I
> being too harsh on that policy, what do you guys that charge late fines
do
> in that situation.
>
> Thanks
> Stacy Reisdorf
> SLMS
> Bloomington Junior High School
> Bloomington, IL
> reisdorfs@district87.org
>
>
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
> All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
> To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu
> In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
> 3) SET LM_NET MAIL 4) SET LM_NET DIGEST * Allow for confirmation.
> LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/
> Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
> EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://elann.biglist.com/el-announce/
> LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
> All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
> To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu
> In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
> 3) SET LM_NET MAIL 4) SET LM_NET DIGEST * Allow for confirmation.
> LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/
> Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
> EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://elann.biglist.com/el-announce/
> LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
--------------------------------------------------------------------
All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu
In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
3) SET LM_NET MAIL 4) SET LM_NET DIGEST * Allow for confirmation.
LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/
Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://elann.biglist.com/el-announce/
LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html
--------------------------------------------------------------------
LM_NET
Mailing List Home