[LM_NET] AR Label placement front of book--HIT pt 2

[Robert Joyce <virginialibrarymediaspecialist@YAHOO.COM>]

===========================================================

ORIGINAL QUESTION :


I  need to make a decision about the location of AR information label on
books.  I have two choices - large or small labels.  They are the same
price.  The large label contains full title, author, and AR information.
The small label just has the AR info.  The large one usually goes on the
outside front cover or the inside front cover.  The small one goes on the
spine above the spine label.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of each?  Pluses? Minuses?

I am thinking placement on the spine alleviates the pulling of the book from
the shelf except for the thin easy/picture and nonfiction and fiction books
.  I am in a preK-5 school.  The small label can be seen as the child
approaches the shelf.

Your quick reply to me OFF the listsev is appreciated.  I want to make my
decision first of next week.

Thanks!

Robert Joyce
School Librarian/Library Media Specialist
Pittsylvania COunty
robert@gcronline.com

==================================================================

REPLIES

1. I use a large label inside the front cover and a blue AR sticker on the
spine to indicate that there is a test for that book.  I like the
reading level on the inside because it makes kids open the book and
hopefully read the teaser on the dustcover.  If the reading level is on
the outside kids are more inclined to choose a book by it's reading
level and point value.  I want them to choose books that they think
they will like reading.  I also keep a binder of tests by title,
reading level and author.

  
2. In our school we have the AR label on the back cover on the lower right side 
close to the spine.  We have corresponding colored dots on the spine above 
the call number for easy sighting on the shelf.  Example"  Red dot on spine 
equals the beginning AR level about K-1.  I am at home and do not have the 
levels memorized but it seems to work really well.  The kids know their 
reading level and look for a corresponding colored dot.

3.    We've always preferred to put the labels inside the cover.  Even in a
K-5 school, you'll have many students who are not inclined to want the
world to know the reading level of the book in their hands.

4.   use a large red dot below the call number on the spine to highlight AR 
books.  I place the AR information label (which I run using Avery address 
labels) on the inside front fly of the books.    My parent volunteers even 
clean all books as they come into the LMC with baby wipes :-)  Unfortunately 
children do select books by their covers.   AR isn't a school-wide program 
at this  elementary school.   Each teacher uses the program as she/he 
wishes.  I maintain current master lists at the front entrance to our LMC, a 
list at the public library, on our intranet and internet websites.  Many of 
our parents have their children reading from the lists.

5.  I am at an elementary school and we have altered our labeling system at
least 6 times.  Now we make our own.  The color coded grade part attaches to
spine under the spine label and wraps around to the front of the book where
we put title and AR information including specific grade level, points and
quiz number.  We use standard computer labels (I'm not sure how long).  The
LMA has found a way to transfer info from AR to Word Publishing so we don't
have to write out the info.  Once you design it and make a template, you
have it made.  We make up different grade levels for the spine part and
print them out by page.
We like the one piece and you get both your small and large labeling.  Since
it is at the bottom left of the front cover, it usually doesn't cover
important info.

6.  I print my own information labels from the Renaissance site.  We put 
them on the inside of the book usually on the back side of the front cover. 
I put the colored spine label wherever it works best without covering up the 
title.  I also put a colored number on the spine the same color as the AR 
label to indicate the number in tenths place for the reading level.  That 
way the students do not need to search through the books to find the correct 
level.  It also helps the younger students find their AR books.  Prior to 
that we had to print each of them a sheet with a list of the titles at their 
level but even then they needed help finding them on the shelves.  Now I 
just tell them to look for a "blue 5" for example, if they need and AR book 
that is 1.5 reading level. I am weeding as many of the skinny paperback 
picture books as possible because the AR labels are so difficult to read on 
the shelf.


7.  When I did AR, I used the spine labels, which made it easier for the 
kids to spot the AR books.  Then I put a label on the inside front cover 
that included the author, title, reading level and points.

8.  I used the large labels on the inside and although I made the students 
aware of the labels - they didn't use them. I started to see that it was a 
waste of money. There are only a few books that have titles that can't be 
located and using the quiz number is useful. I had the students get use to 
going online to see the number of points and I had a printed list in a 
notebook in the library. I realized that this was sufficient and stopped 
using the inside labels altogether.
9.   We use the label from REN Learning inside the front cover and use a 
different color star to help students find a book in their ZPD range.  (I 
actually started this system before I knew about ZPD)  I just divided K-12 
reading levels into ranges, assigned a color of star and as the students 
approach the shelves the stars are quite visible.  At that point they may 
open the book for a more accurate ZPD range if his or her teacher requires a 
particular range.  Demco and Highsmith both carry a wide variety of star 
colors that can be attached to the spine of the book.  We put the stars 
above the spine label.

EX:
.5-1.9    Yellow
2.0-2.9  Orange
3.0-3.9  Lime green


10.  I use color dots as the codes for reading levels. Orange 0.1 - 1.9,
Yellow 2.0 - 2.9, Pink 3.0 - 3.9, and Green 4.0 - up. I also have them
together dots on the shelves. Makes it easier for the kids to find, and
easier the put back on the shelves. I print off the AR label and place
inside the front cover.



 
===========================================================

ORIGINAL QUESTION :


I  need to make a decision about the location of AR information label on
books.  I have two choices - large or small labels.  They are the same
price.  The large label contains full title, author, and AR information.
The small label just has the AR info.  The large one usually goes on the
outside front cover or the inside front cover.  The small one goes on the
spine above the spine label.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of each?  Pluses? Minuses?

I am thinking placement on the spine alleviates the pulling of the book from
the shelf except for the thin easy/picture and nonfiction and fiction books
.  I am in a preK-5 school.  The small label can be seen as the child
approaches the shelf.

Your quick reply to me OFF the listsev is appreciated.  I want to make my
decision first of next week.

Thanks!

Robert Joyce
School Librarian/Library Media Specialist
Pittsylvania COunty
robert@gcronline.com

==================================================================

REPLIES

1. I use a large label inside the front cover and a blue AR sticker on the
spine to indicate that there is a test for that book.  I like the
reading level on the inside because it makes kids open the book and
hopefully read the teaser on the dustcover.  If the reading level is on
the outside kids are more inclined to choose a book by it's reading
level and point value.  I want them to choose books that they think
they will like reading.  I also keep a binder of tests by title,
reading level and author.

2.
In our school we have the AR label on the back cover on the lower right side 
close to the spine.  We have corresponding colored dots on the spine above 
the call number for easy sighting on the shelf.  Example"  Red dot on spine 
equals the beginning AR level about K-1.  I am at home and do not have the 
levels memorized but it seems to work really well.  The kids know their 
reading level and look for a corresponding colored dot.

3.    We've always preferred to put the labels inside the cover.  Even in a
K-5 school, you'll have many students who are not inclined to want the
world to know the reading level of the book in their hands.

4.   use a large red dot below the call number on the spine to highlight AR 
books.  I place the AR information label (which I run using Avery address 
labels) on the inside front fly of the books.    My parent volunteers even 
clean all books as they come into the LMC with baby wipes :-)  Unfortunately 
children do select books by their covers.   AR isn't a school-wide program 
at this  elementary school.   Each teacher uses the program as she/he 
wishes.  I maintain current master lists at the front entrance to our LMC, a 
list at the public library, on our intranet and internet websites.  Many of 
our parents have their children reading from the lists.

5.  I am at an elementary school and we have altered our labeling system at
least 6 times.  Now we make our own.  The color coded grade part attaches to
spine under the spine label and wraps around to the front of the book where
we put title and AR information including specific grade level, points and
quiz number.  We use standard computer labels (I'm not sure how long).  The
LMA has found a way to transfer info from AR to Word Publishing so we don't
have to write out the info.  Once you design it and make a template, you
have it made.  We make up different grade levels for the spine part and
print them out by page.
We like the one piece and you get both your small and large labeling.  Since
it is at the bottom left of the front cover, it usually doesn't cover
important info.

6.  I print my own information labels from the Renaissance site.  We put 
them on the inside of the book usually on the back side of the front cover. 
I put the colored spine label wherever it works best without covering up the 
title.  I also put a colored number on the spine the same color as the AR 
label to indicate the number in tenths place for the reading level.  That 
way the students do not need to search through the books to find the correct 
level.  It also helps the younger students find their AR books.  Prior to 
that we had to print each of them a sheet with a list of the titles at their 
level but even then they needed help finding them on the shelves.  Now I 
just tell them to look for a "blue 5" for example, if they need and AR book 
that is 1.5 reading level. I am weeding as many of the skinny paperback 
picture books as possible because the AR labels are so difficult to read on 
the shelf.


7.  When I did AR, I used the spine labels, which made it easier for the 
kids to spot the AR books.  Then I put a label on the inside front cover 
that included the author, title, reading level and points.

8.  I used the large labels on the inside and although I made the students 
aware of the labels - they didn't use them. I started to see that it was a 
waste of money. There are only a few books that have titles that can't be 
located and using the quiz number is useful. I had the students get use to 
going online to see the number of points and I had a printed list in a 
notebook in the library. I realized that this was sufficient and stopped 
using the inside labels altogether.
9.   We use the label from REN Learning inside the front cover and use a 
different color star to help students find a book in their ZPD range.  (I 
actually started this system before I knew about ZPD)  I just divided K-12 
reading levels into ranges, assigned a color of star and as the students 
approach the shelves the stars are quite visible.  At that point they may 
open the book for a more accurate ZPD range if his or her teacher requires a 
particular range.  Demco and Highsmith both carry a wide variety of star 
colors that can be attached to the spine of the book.  We put the stars 
above the spine label.

EX:
.5-1.9    Yellow
2.0-2.9  Orange
3.0-3.9  Lime green


10.  I use color dots as the codes for reading levels. Orange 0.1 - 1.9,
Yellow 2.0 - 2.9, Pink 3.0 - 3.9, and Green 4.0 - up. I also have them
together dots on the shelves. Makes it easier for the kids to find, and
easier the put back on the shelves. I print off the AR label and place
inside the front cover.



 


                
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