Re: [LM_NET] Overdues Rant

[Stefanie Halliday <shalliday@YAHOO.COM>]

One thing that has helped me to view this entire topic was a conversation I had 
with my supervisor when I worked at the public library. I had just had a patron 
complaint about a long overdue book that she was interested in checking out. I 
turned to my supervisor to wonder aloud why someone would keep a book out so long, 
and she made a very interesting point--something to this effect...the library is on 
our radar because we are here every day and it is really important to US because it 
is what we love and do for a living, but for many people, it is just one of the 
many, many things they must do in a day.

Since then, I have moved on from the public library and into the schools. And I can 
tell you, as a public library patron I have books overdue at the public library 
more often that I like admitting. Some days the public library is another one of 
the many places I must take the extra time to go to--along with the bank, baseball 
practice for my kids, grocery store, post office , etc. 

I'm not saying we should ignore overdue books; I think we should still hold 
students accountable. However, it has helped me to "let go" of the emotional 
response to overdue books to consider the many other things my students attend to 
in a day. Some are caring for their parents or younger siblings. Some work jobs 
after school. Some have parents that just don't pay any attention to them or have 
parents who are worried about working two jobs and keeping their kids fed. 

In addition to the other suggestions received from other librarians, maybe your 
administration would be interested in seeing the total dollar amount of books not 
recovered at the end of the year. That would translate into $___ that you will have 
to spend on replacements rather than on new books.

Stefanie Halliday
BHS Media Cener
Belleville, MI
shalliday@yahoo.com
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
...I know very little having to do with human beings that doesn't also have to do 
with connection. We want to be noticed, we want to be good enough, we want friends, 
and we want to be loved. We want our place to stand. --Chris Crutcher, "King of the 
Mild Frontier"




________________________________
From: Carol Van Brocklin <carolannvan@MOTIMAIL.COM>
To: LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
Sent: Mon, May 24, 2010 9:03:29 PM
Subject: Overdues Rant

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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