I have never had to deal with such a problem at my elementary schools but in my
opinion the perpetrators should pay the highest price possible plus shipping,
cataloging, staff time in prepping and for the time the books were not available.
We charge replacement cost for books that are lost or accidently damaged or chewed
by pets or scribbled in or torn by siblings. To purposely destroy library
materials is criminal and deserves a a differtent level of restitution beyond just
monetary. Why are you so worried about charging too much and what is the admin's
policy on vandalism? Was some other form of punishment already meted out?
Certainly the superintendent and the board would be sensitive to taxpayer's concern
about the destruction of school property.
If the guilty have to buy a complete set of reference books to replace a few, then
so be it. When the new books are ordered and paid just give the offenders the
remaining undamaged volumes to either read or destroy as they wish.
If someone damaged your car to the tune of $3000 and the car was an older model
with 150,000 miles on it would you be happy to accept $1500 because the car was old
?
Cheryl A. Sturgeon
Elem. Library/Media Specialist
Highland Local Schools (OH)
csturgeo@highlandschools.org
>>> Susan Speranza <castleriggpekes@ADELPHIA.NET> >>>
Hi,
I have a problem that I really need help with.
Two students vandalized some of our books. We got this on camera so we know who the
students are. There are about 10 books involved. These were all purchased before I
took over this library 4 years ago, so I have no idea how much they originally
cost. Whenever students lose books, I normally charge them what it would cost to
replace the book - either with a current edition of the book, or a comparable one.
In this instance, all of these books can be purchased as new editions. The problem
is that they are expensive science reference books and we anticipate problems with
one of the parents about the amount. Also, 5 volumes of one set were ruined and it
seems that I can't purchase individual volumes, but only the whole set, which is
expensive.
My question is, what is normally done in a situation like this? Am I within my
right to charge the students the current price of a new edition of the same title?
Any information you can give me would be most appreciated, as this is a very big
issue right now, involving everyone including the superintendent and the board!
Susan Speranza,
Library Media Specialist
Bellows Falls Union High School
Bellows Falls, VT 05101
(802) 463-3944 x 210
Castleriggpekes@adelphia.net
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