Good morning Paula -
I have my policies posted on our school webpage and after week 1, I send a letter to all families via ParentSquare. I am attaching it here.
Ks - 1 book until after the December break. Then we move to 2.
1-3 - 2 books
My students can return books at any time, not just their library day, so if they finish and want a new one, they can come trade it in.
Helping them remember: Because we use ParentSquare, we can actually schedule reminders if we want. Many times classroom teachers will send home a specials sheet to remind families that they need sneakers for PE, library books etc. and the families put in on their refrigerator or something.
My second week of library lesson includes discussion about best ways to remember and the kids share all kinds of things. I always remind them that if they read it and then put it right back in their backpack, it's hard to forget.
Lost/damaged books: For most families, I message them on ParentSquare to let them know the book is missing or damaged. Usually they offer to pay for or replace the book. Many times, if the book is missing, I'll tell the family that we will all keep looking. Frequently it's in their classroom, but also in their car, under the couch, etc. I'll tell them to look for it and if after a couple months, then they can pay/replace. I try and wait because usually as soon as they pay or replace, it turns up.
Kids that lose books - it happens to the best of us. I usually have them search for 2/3 weeks. During that time, they are a browser, which means they are just looking. After that I have them start checking out a book again. I know that many people will disagree with me, but I think it's really important for them to get books.
I do have some families that are never going to bring books back and they have even asked that books don't go home. We've done things like have the student keep the book in their cubby in their classroom or a resource/SPED room.
I also have a bucket of books that I've collected over the years of extra things from book orders, book fairs, donations, etc. that I don't care if they never come back. Certain students/families pick from that bucket (we don't make a big deal of it) and then they still have the experience of choosing their library book.
For my K-3s, while we want the kids to learn responsibility, many times there are things in their lives that are simply out of their control and the child should not be penalized for that.
Hope this helps!
Jenny
Jenny Lussier
CASL President
Connecticut Association of School Librarians Organization Address:
4 Wotton Lane
Burlington, CT 06013