My suggestion to deal with overdues? Get your principal on board early with
"the plan." Fining students or putting holds on the records don't serious
affect teenagers since many of them aren't threatened by bills that they
don't have to pay themselves or when they don't get their report cards.
Instead.....restricting or prohibiting students who have overdues from
participating in fun activities DO have an impact. Some things to restrict
might be:
* dances
* attendance or participation in pep rallies
* restrictions from participating in / enrolling in theater, choir,
forensics activities
* restrictions from / participation in field trips or class projects (fun
things)
* no "free" days (movie days, game days, etc.)
* no recess (for elementary)
* no play centers (for elementary)
* withholding the yearbook (or other ceremonial memorabilia)
* restriction from attending the prom
* restriction from participating in graduation ceremonies
Ask your principal to help you with this serious problem by eliminating the
problem before it becomes a hassle for the administrative offices
(secretary), you...and ultimately, him / her. The first semester of
restrictions will get students' attention. Reminders that their failure to
"be responsible" will remove the privileges that will be given to those who
ARE responsible and return their materials on time.
Ask that when books are overdue for more than two weeks that those students
names be sent to the principal--- give the students a warning that if they
have overdue materials and DO NOT take care of the problem (either by
returning the books or paying for the replacement / or fines) then they will
be restricted from participating in....(you fill in the blank).
While this might seem a bit harsh, in reality, a lot of time and money is
involved in retrieving materials. And while some districts can't hold
report cards or transcripts for their students' failure to return books,
most districts CAN reprimand students who fail to act
responsibly ---especially if you can work with your principal on the this
policy AND write it into your library's collection development policy
(Overdue Materials Section). Have this policy approved and then implement
the plan.
Believe me...it works and it creates students who realize that there are
consequences for their actions. When they get to college, they'll realize
that they can't enroll in their next semester's courses, receive their
transcripts or have their grades transferred to other institutions until
they become responsible students and take care of business---return those
library books and pay those fines! This is just rehearsal for real-life!
Get tough now!
Good luck!
~Shonda
Shonda Brisco, MLIS
Technology Librarian
Fort Worth Country Day School
Fort Worth, TX 76109
sbrisco@gmail.com
http://www.fwcds.org
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