[LM_NET] Overdues Rant

[Carol Van Brocklin <carolannvan@MOTIMAIL.COM>]

Morning all:
        OK--I know that this is something that each of us 
face and each of us have a solution that works for us, but 
this year I am just really bugged about the whole end of 
year and overdue books thing.
        The first scenerio is a 2nd grade boy who had a 
brand new "Elephant and Piggie" book for 3 months. I 
talked with the student, sent notes home, talked with the 
teacher who was going to ask the Mom about it--nothing 
happened until this week when the word went out that "no 
book, no report card" and the book was found. When I 
mentioned overdue fines the response was "but the book 
came back" from both parent and child. While I usually 
don't give overdue fines for anyone under 3rd grade, this 
one was a bit escessive so I think something should be 
done about it and the response is that I am expecting way 
too much from such a young child. This is a very wealthy 
family so the money is not the issue.
         The second scenerio was a high school boy who 
took off with a SAT book (the aide who checked it out 
didn't know) in October and is just bringing it back now 
and once again both parent and student are totally 
horrified that I actually expect them to pay the fine on 
it. Notes home, talking with the student, talking with the 
Mom who happens to work at the school as a 
volunteer--nothing helped. When I mentioned to our office 
staff the fact that it should be tacked onto their bill 
they just laughed and told me to get in line.
         Finally, I have the administrator who has lost a 
book. When I mentioned that there would be replacement 
costs--his response was "But there is another copy of the 
book on the shelf already. Why should I pay for another 
copy?"

         So--I guess my real questions are:
              1) At what grade level do most of your start 
collecting fines?
              2) How far do you push things like library 
fines? Do you just smile and say "Thanks for finally 
returning the book." Do you actually send a bill to the 
parents?
              3) Am I being totally unreasonable because 
it's the end of a very long school year?

Thanks for listening all and words of wisdom are 
appreciated.

Carol Van Brocklin
Librarian
Faith Academy-Mindanao
Davao City, Philippines
carolannvan@motimail.com

 

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