You are right on target. For years, I held report cards until books were
returned or replacement fees paid. Amazingly, some parents just didn't seem to
notice that their child had no report card. BUT, this year, the students with
overdue books the last week of school were not allowed to participate in field
day. I had 16 elementary students in the library at 8:30 am on field day. By
9:30 all accounts were cleared. Books surprisingly appeared from bookbags,
desks, or parents paid the replacement costs.
I also accept CASH only + $5.00 reshelving and reordering fee. Our bookkeeper
places the cash in an envelope along with the duplicate Follett receipt in the
school vault. I also keep an Excel spreadsheet of the transaction.
If the book reappears (and we all know that they do) the envelope is returned to
the student or parent with the entire amount. I do not subtract the $5 fee.
However by October of the next school year all of this "lost/damaged" book money
is used to purchase the replacements. If books should be found and returned
after this date, the student does not get a refund.
Charlotte Anderson
Librarian
Trinity Elementary School
4410 Murfreesboro Rd.
Franklin, TN 37067
charloa2@comcast.net
-------------- Original message --------------
From: Shonda Brisco <sbrisco@GMAIL.COM>
> 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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