Re: [LM_NET] SEC: Overdue Book Ideas -New IDEA

[Paula Yohe <paula_yohe@YAHOO.COM>]

And how many parents tell their children not to ever check out another library book?
Sure makes us look like a collection agency --
Paula

Ladewig <shatz@VERIZON.NET> wrote:
May I offer a suggestion for your die-hard offenders? Give a letter (better yet, 
have them called in to pick up the letter from the vice principal or whoever does 
discipline) to the student advising them that they have 24 hours to return the book 
or begin paying for it*. The letter states that if, within 24 hours they do not 
make good, a call will be placed to their home and the calls will begin at 6 (or 
6:30) a.m.! (Be sure that part is clear). (And if you don't get the books, DO make 
the call! Word will get out and you'll have other kids returning books too). My 
guess is that they will NOT want their parents harassed at that time of the 
morning. On the bright side, a phone call then will alert them to look for the book 
before coming to school.

Here at my elementary school, I have the student call home during the day (they are 
sent to the office to call, so they're not too thrilled about that!) and let parent 
know that a book is missing, and if no answer, they leave a message on the recorder 
for themselves to remind themselves when they get home. You could even make up a 
little card that they could read; laminate it and hand it to them while they dial. 
"This is a message for John to locate his library book at home and place it in his 
backpack for return to the library tomorrow." Leaving themselves a message usually 
works because the parent also hears the message. Most families do have a machine 
and it ends the excuse of "Nobody's home."

I have used "wake up calls" when I worked at a K - 8 site. ("Good morning! This is 
a courtesy call from the school librarian. Johnny's book is overdue. Before I send 
home a bill with the principal's signature on it, I wanted to give you an 
opportunity to drop his late book off. The title of the book is _______ (and if you 
can describe the book:) and it is small, blue, and has a yellow sticker on the 
spine." The cost of replacing the book is currently $25.

Or, "The book is 3 weeks late and I have a bill prepared in the amount of $25. If 
the book is returned to the library or school office this morning, I won't need to 
take the bill to the principal for his signature. Thanks for your assistance!"

My guess is that employing these techniques will give you a 70% return rate within 
a week. It's worth a try.

*You might even have them sign a form that indicates they received the letter and 
they understand the consequences. At my K - 8 I had the kids sign the original bill 
and I made a photocopy which I kept on file. This way they knew their parents would 
find out that they knew all about it, instead of, "I never got it" or "I didn't 
know."

Joanne Ladewig, Library Media Technician (a.k.a. "Library Lady")
Lawrence Elementary School, GGUSD
Garden Grove, CA USA
shatz@verizon.net

---Comments are my own and may not reflect the views of GGUSD.



--------------------------------------------------------------------
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
--------------------------------------------------------------------


Paula Yohe
Director Of Technology/Library Media Center
Dillon School District Two
405 West Washington Street
Dillon, SC 29536
Phone: 843-841-3604 Fax:843-774-1214
paula_yohe@yahoo.com

---------------------------------
Do you Yahoo!?
 Yahoo! Small Business - Try our new resources site!

--------------------------------------------------------------------
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
--------------------------------------------------------------------