[LM_NET] Over Due Books and Fines

["Dr. Mary Ann Bell" <mbe11@EARTHLINK.NET>]

I have not contributed here because I am no longer in a school library,
but I can share one method that used to work for me. I would have a
contest. I would have a teacher or other staff member pick a number from
the range of student numbers, and call it out. We would check the
circulation records for that student. If the kid was clear, both fines
and overdues, I would make an announcement during PA announcement time,
in game show host fashion, saying the students' names and COME ON DOWN
to the library for a prize! You were clear in the library. I would also
mention the last three digits of user numbers (these were not SS
numbers) belonging to several losers (kids picked but not clear) and
would say, I deeply regret not being able to give a prize to these
people. They had overdue books. Bring in your books and fines so YOU TOO
can be eligible to win. I gave small tokens such as candy or novelty
items. One of the most fun was cheap small cars, like Matchbox (but
cheaper off brand). Then I could say, Johnny Smith, you have won a CAR!
Come on down to collect! Even hardened 8th graders wanted those toy
cars. I would give 3-4 prizes a day for a week. After doing this the
first day, I would get a lot of returns. It did not take care of all
problems, but worked surprisingly well for a number of them.--Mary Ann

--
***************************
"Try curiosity!"  Dorothy Parker
***************************
Dr. Mary Ann Bell
Assistant Professor
School of Library Science
Sam Houston State University
Huntsville, TX
mbe11@earthlink.net
lis_mah@shsu.edu

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