[LM_NET] TAR: Damaged Books

[Jamie Navarette <jamienn@GMAIL.COM>]

Hello Everyone-

I am a brand new library media specialist this year and so I apologize
in advance if this question has already been asked many times. If
students damage a book(s) that is beyond repair and parents come in
wanting to pay to replace the book, do you let them keep the ruined
copy? Does your school follow a district policy regarding
parents/guardians being allowed to come in, pay for a damaged book to
be replaced, and then keeping the ruined one? My district's policy in
"practice" does not allow this because the book(s) is and always has
been the property of the school district, but it is NOT explained in
writing, so building administrators have the final say (letting
him/her keep the damaged book). The parent/guardian is not purchasing
the book and I have concerns about school property floating around in
the community and that it may end up on a garage sale shelf. I
appreciate any advice you have on this issue.

My second question deals with damaged books, as well. If a student
continues to lose/damage library materials, do you think s/he should
be allowed to keep checking anything they want out, with no
consequences? Or should they be limited on how many items they may
check out, at least temporarily? I've been told to limit students to
paperback books or to have their checkouts remain in the classroom
only. On the same token though, I legally can't prevent a student from
checking out books. I DON'T want to prevent them from checking out,
but I can't figure out how to cut down on this problem of lost and
damaged books. Thanks for your input.

Jamie Navarette
Media Specialist
Fremont Middle School
540 Johnson Rd.
Fremont, NE 68025
402-727-3112
jamie.navarette@fpsmail.org

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