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I have taught at high school and middle schools for most of my 18 years. In both cases I have had problems with overdues and use basically the same methods you do for handling them. To start with lets start with the professional concerns. First, overdues and their punishments should not cause a child/young adult to hate using libraries. Second, we do have a responsibility to our school community and the tax payers to make every effort to keep and use our resources wisely. Third, we need to help students learn to be ethical users of the library (see Information Power/State & Local Information Literacy Standards). OK with all of that said, what do we do? Run screaming down the hall -- Nooooooo! We cajole, we plead, we beg, we negotiate, we sometimes even bully. Yes I did say bully, for what else can you call it when an adult hands out a notice after notice to a child who hasn't a clue where the book is located. Here are some of the tactics I have used to cut my overdue list in half. They may seem pretty drastic, but you really need to do them all with a sense humor and also with the attitude that your really are going to follow through with these punishments and yes the actual resolve to follow through. 1. Any books over 30 days over due are considered lost and must be paid for or returned within one week. This statement goes in the student handbook and during orientation I go over it, saying , "But of course, this will not be an issue for any of you." Once the book is 30 days overdue, I call the student(s) to the library and explain the policy again. I tell them if they do not return the late item(s) and pay the overdue fines by the next day, or make arrangements with me, that I will mail a letter to their parents concerning this matter. 2. Prior to mailing the letters I try to ascertain from the student, counselors, etc. if money is an issue. If it is I work out a work for the book and fine regiment. This has always been a win win for the kid and me. Many of them are great helpers and go on to become my student assistants. Also many of these kids just need some attention -- between my aide and myself they get positive reinforcement for a job well done. They work at lunch or after school. Never during class time. 3. I give the letter 2 weeks to get action. If the book is not returned or paid for, I threaten library detention. Again it becomes work detail which takes up there time, but when the students are doing it I laugh with them and keep it light. Before I let them go home for the evening, I tell them they will have library detention every day (Tues & Thur, etc. as it fits into my schedule) until they take care of their library responsibility. Most return the book the next day with smiles. 4. If they do not show for detention or if library detention fails I give them an office referral which leads to a parent call from me, detention, and a visit with an administrator. This is a last resort. 5. Some books are not worth the hassle and are written off after a discussion with counselors and/or administrators. Yes this is time consuming, but I usually only have to do it once or twice a year and the word gets around. Kids hate parents knowing anything and losing their time, even if it isn't drudgery work or awful. I usually have them do any odd jobs around the library including: dusting; edging; cleaning counters, computer monitors, and tables; putting new fiction books in alphabetical order; putting the shelving cart in order (doesn't matter if they haven't a clue -- its a teachable moment); and watering plants. I believe strongly that the focus of the library is not overdues, but reading and a safe haven, so you can not implement this in a mean spirited way, no matter how mad you are at the kid. Remember what we remember best are the bad experiences from our childhood, not the pleasant ones. One bad encounter with a librarian or library staff member can turn a kid off libraries for life. Good luck. Billie > > -------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 --------------------------------------------------------------------