Re: [LM_NET] Elem: Book Fairs l

[Roberta Cole Lader <rlader@COX.NET>]

I agree with all of those who pointed out that funding tends to decrease
when librarians take the responsibility to raise funds.  
While I do have a budget, a small private Catholic school will probably
never be able to provide all the funding I need.

I address the problems by:

a.  Stressing to the principal and parents that Book Fairs are held (1)to
give students/parents a chance to pick quality books with professional
guidance and (2)to provide the "extras," not the base budget.  Fortunately
it has worked well in my school
b.  Making it clear that quality is my priority.  If I have to give up easy
profits from junk for somewhat less gain from selling quality, I vote with
quality and back it up.  Everyone knows why I have made a decision to switch
fairs, and my decision was applauded.
c.  Using the "book angel" money to help provide books for students who need
them.  Because I have a small school, I usually know who is needy, but I do
consult our school secretary/bookkeeper for help, as she knows who is
getting tuition assistance and who is in a crisis situation.  I present the
"book angel" award as a random "you got lucky" event; they don't always go
to the same students because circumstances change and different needs arise.
So far, no one has questioned any decisions.

I love my book fairs and recruit many volunteers so that I can spend as much
time as possible with the students and parents actually selecting books.  I
get to meet parents and get to know them better, and get them involved in
taking out books from our own library, too.  It's win-win for everyone.

Roberta Cole Lader
Librarian,
St. Louis School
Alexandria, VA
rlader@cox.net
       
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