I am also in favor of the change. I did not respond to this thread originally because the tone of the original post seemed to invite only negative comments, which may explain the results Joyce received.

At any rate, I agree with Sarah. The new schedule may require us to make some adjustments in the way we do things, but the difficulties are certainly not insurmountable.

In the long run, it makes more sense to have the program follow the school calendar. As one who has worked in both public and school libraries, I feel that the new calendar allows for more of a balance between public and school library programs. Announcing the new titles in February (to librarians) and May (to the public) will give schools enough time to formulate their summer reading lists to include the new titles, if they wish. It will also give public libraries enough time to have the books ready for their summer reading programs. When the new school year begins, school librarians can then start their Nutmeg book talks and promotion of the new lists-- it doesn't have to be in May. In fact, this could solve the problems some have mentioned with their budgets; they can wait until July 1st to order the new titles. Then, the students can continue reading the books through most of the following school year, with the peak of activity occurring closer to the end of the school year.

***********************************

Nicole Kuca
Library Media Specialist
Martin Kellogg Middle School

From: casl-l-bounces@mylist.net [casl-l-bounces@mylist.net] on behalf of Sarah Lynch [sarah_lynch@whps.org]
Sent: Thursday, September 13, 2012 12:40 PM
To: Lynch, Joyce
Cc: CASL-L@mylist.net
Subject: Re: [CASL-L] Results of Nutmeg Timing Inquiry

I would like to weigh in as someone who likes the change. I've always thought it would make more sense to have most of the school year for students to read the titles. As far as purchasing books is concerned, I don't see why you would not still be able to purchase the same number of titles. You have two options

1) Encumber money with a vendor such as Follett or Baker & Taylor in the fall and then purchase the titles with that money after the titles are released in Feb.

2) Wait until July 1st and purchase the books with your new budget.

Seems like two pretty straight forward options to me, but that is just my two cents. I will be using option number 1 myself.

Sarah Lynch, National Board Certified Library Media Specialist
Wolcott Elementary- West Hartford Public Schools

71 Wolcott Rd., West Hartford, CT 06110
Telephone: 860-561-2300 Ext. 1380
Fax: 860-521-7545
Email: Sarah_Lynch@whps.org

On Thu, Sep 13, 2012 at 11:28 AM, Lynch, Joyce <lynchj@plainvilleschools.org> wrote:

Several days ago I sent out an inquiry about my concern in the changes to the timing of the Nutmeg books. Many thanks to all of you who responded.
Of the 12 people who answered, 3 thought the change would be a positive one, while 9 expressed the same concerns I had regarding lack of money to purchase books so late in the school year, and lack of time to booktalk them prior to the end of the school year.

As the change affects so many of us, publishers, distributors, and authors may not be happy that schools like mine that previously purchased 15 copies of each title (300 copies) will now purchase only 1 copy of each title (20 copies).

Thanks again for your comments,

--
Joyce Lynch
Library Information Teacher
Middle School of Plainville
150 Northwest Drive
Plainville, CT 06062
860-793-3250

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