I just wanted to add that for practical reasons, I’ve fallen into a rhythm of doing my inventory at the mid-year point instead of at the end of the year. Does anyone else in a high school do this? My assistant starts right after Christmas vacation when there is little research going on as classes spend two weeks preparing for mid-term exams. During exams we get the bulk of the inventory done. (Wi-fi use is also at a low during this time which has become an issue.) We finish up within a week or so of mid-terms and then I go through the “missing” lists and re-order what I need. It sure helps with the end-of-year craziness to not have to do inventory!
I also set a ceiling date of about two weeks before the end. Usually the first Friday in June. But we don’t ever close our doors to students. I wasn’t allowed when I first started 13 years ago and I was able to work around it. I realize that elementary and middle are very different—without exams and many more mixed up books! We have started many school years with empty bulletin boards and no new books on display. My high schoolers get over it!
Tracy Earnshaw
Coginchaug Regional High School
P.O. Box 280
135 Pickett Lane
Durham, CT 06422
(860) 349-7215
(860) 349-7218 (fax)
From: casl-l-bounces@mylist.net [mailto:casl-l-bounces@mylist.net] On Behalf Of Varley Mary
Sent: Monday, June 10, 2013 1:36 PM
To: Eva Longo; casl-l@mylist.net
Subject: RE: [CASL-L] Student ceiling due date
It takes us a minimum of two weeks to retrieve all of our books - (we had 1500 books out this year at that point) - not to mention conduct inventory which includes weeding, repair, setting up orders for replacements, etc. We also use the time to move collections around and reallocate space as needed for the next school year.
Keeping our databases up to date is so important, we teach the students to use the online catalog, but if that is not current what good is it – there are always records to delete, change, fix, etc, etc. So we must close the media center at least 2 weeks prior to the end of school.
We need to hold our ground on this one!!
Mary Varley
School Library Media Specialist
Windermere School
2 Abbott Road
Ellington, CT 06029
Phone: 860-896-2329
FAX: 860-896-2338
From: casl-l-bounces@mylist.net [mailto:casl-l-bounces@mylist.net] On Behalf Of Eva Longo
Sent: Sunday, June 09, 2013 5:12 PM
To: casl-l@mylist.net
Subject: [CASL-L] Student ceiling due date
Good afternoon,
I generally have all student materials due back about 2 weeks before the end of the school year. This is how long it takes me to get materials returned from students and staff in preparation for inventory. Recently I was asked to consider extending this date. I would like to do this, but already struggle with getting all materials back in two weeks. Also, we are open for business on the first day of school each year. I'm wondering if anyone has been able to successfully do this without running out of time to get materials returned before students leave for the summer. The library is still opened to students after the student ceiling due date for computer use and for looking at magazines; we supervise students through the last day of school.
There are 1,100 students in my school and I have 1 full time library assistant.
Any feedback on this subject would be much appreciated.
Thanks in advance for your time and have a good evening,
Eva Longo
Timothy Edwards Middle School
South Windsor