Thanks for your many suggestions. It seems as though many of you have
well-thought out means of keeping the numbers manageable. I have included
just a few of the suggestions:
*I use to have the same problem. This year I sent home a 1/2 sheet of
paper with my entire schedule on it. I made sure the teachers had a copy
and knew when I would have the book fair open. I then only opened the
fair when I had a class and afterschool. I told the teachers that they
could send students during any of my classes AFTER their classes
schedule time. That meant if a student brought in money early they had
to wait, unless their parents brought them in afterschool. Most teachers
only sent 3 or 4 at a time and of course with a class and volunteers
those 3 or 4 did not make a big difference. I usually had a few
afterschool and for the first time did not have a major crown at my
family night. Even without these crowds I did the largest fair that I
have ever done, over $8000. I think having a copy of the schedule even
thought parents knew what day the students had library really helped. I
hope this helps you too.
*Since you mentioned that you had problem with morning traffic, I'll tell
what I do in terms of morning traffic. I basically do three things:
1. Students with backpacks are sent back to class. I tell my
students that if I see them with their backpacks, I assume that they didn't
ask for permission to come to the book fair.
2. I only violate #1 if the student(s) are with a parent or
guardian. Those students must put their backpacks in a certain place. This
category is the only people I allow into the book fair before the official
opening time.
3. All other students must wait in line outside the library. I
have fifteen "book fair passes" that either I or a volunteer hand out to
these students. If there are more than 15 students waiting in line, they
must wait for one of the first fifteen to finish. I just reuse the passes
until all students are back at class. I just use some accents that I have
purchased at a teacher supply store and laminate them.
*Each morning (we'd gather for morning prayer right outside the library- so
over 500 children were hanging around) I would sit on a stool outside the
library and only let students in who could show at least $5.00 (so they
could legitimately purchase something) or had a parent with them. When I
thought the room was full (we had glass doors) no one else could go in until
someone came out.
I had a staff of parent volunteers running the "store". So I could be the
"policeman".
I did have parents complain but I said it's a safety hazard to allow
everyone in at once and all classes are scheduled to come through (with or
without money). The bright students would pass a $5 bill around to each
other and go in. But it did keep the hordes down in the morning.
*When we had book fairs we scheduled each class in for an initial
browsing time (15 or 20 min. depending on number of classes and time we
had for browsing. Tried to get all in on one day.) Following days
specific times were designated for pairs of grade levels (one primary
and other upper) to send only students with money to buy books.
Exceptions were made as needed due to classroom schedules (specials or
tests etc.) Helped balance the number of kids at any given time. We
were open after school and one evening for parent participation.
Thanks again for all your helpful suggestions!
Laura L. Slusser
Library Media Specialist
Patrick Copeland Elementary School
400 Westhill Drive
Hopewell, Virginia 23860
(804) 541-6410
fax: (804) 541-6411
lslusser@hopewell.k12.va.us
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