[CASL-L] Overdue/Lost book policy

[Valerie DiLorenzo]

I agree with Carrie and David. I try to be relaxed about overdue books and
keep in mind overall goals of getting students reading and keeping them
excited about coming to the library. One bad experience can turn off a
student for life. I always attempt to embrace those teachable moments. Some
examples:

Kindergartners know that if they have 2 overdue books, I usually don't let
them take out a third until at least one is returned. I bent my rule last
week and let a student take out a third. (I know the family situation.)
Later in the day, I happened to see his big sister in grade 5 who comes
into the library after school just about every day. I asked her if she
could help her little brother find his books. I have to tell you this
student has not shown me in the past that she's responsible, but she's an
awesome kid, just like her brother. At the beginning of this week, she pops
into the library, returns all of the books from her brother, and an overdue
book that she had! I told her how awesome she is and how thankful I was.
Little brother comes into the library today with a long face, "I forgot all
of my books." I said, "Your sister already returned all of your books! You
owe her a big hug and a thank you!" He was thrilled and happily chose
another book today. Big sis came in this afternoon and I told her how happy
her brother was that she brought back his books. Brother and sister are
happy and the library received all books back.

Okay, so that's the only story I'll write, but I could share many more!! I
guess my point is that I try to keep our relationships positive and embrace
those teachable moments.

Cheers,
~Val


On Thu, Jan 16, 2014 at 10:37 AM, Newland, Amanda <
anewland at cromwell.k12.ct.us> wrote:

> It was brought to my attention that our school does not have a
> Overdue/Lost policy in place.  When I came to the school, I continued to
> follow the procedures that were in place by the previous librarian which is
> the following...
>
>
>   *   Students receive an overdue notice in their LA class and are given
> an additional week to return the book.
>   *   If after this time period - students are then taken out of lunch and
> serve a lunch detention in the library until the book is either returned or
> paid for (or if the student says it is lost).
>   *   If a student loses more than two books during the year - they are
> not allowed to take any more books out from the library.
>
> I am not a huge fan of this procedure but was informed by the library aide
> who has worked here for years that "it works" to get the books back.
>  However, that being said, our Principal received a call from a parent
> stating that since there is no written policy currently in place, we can
> not have students staying for lunch detentions,etc.  So we decided now is a
> good time to get a policy in place in the student handbook for next school
> year.
>
> So my question to you all is would you be willing to share your
> policies/procedure that you might have in place that you feel works?
>
> Thank you-
>
>
> Amanda Newland
>
> Library Media Specialist
>
> Cromwell Middle School
>
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> CASL-L at mylist.net
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>



-- 
Valerie DiLorenzo
Library Media Specialist & Archivist
Rumsey Hall School
201 Romford Road
Washington Depot, CT 06794

http://thelibrarynotes.wordpress.com/
860-868-0535 x122
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