Patrons who just come to hang out not check out

[cara delia]

Okay, here is my delima.  I teach k-5, and have a few students who frequent the library every morning to return and check out a new book.  Sounds great right?  Not so, the problem comes in when I know that they are  not actually reading the books, but using the library as an excuse to get out of work.  Not only does this create more traffic that I really don't need (up to 60 kids are in the library in the morning at one time, no assistant), but it also creates a large overflow of books that I have to then reshelf.  I have spoken to the students about making good book choices so that they do not get a book that is too easy/too hard and will take them 3 or so days to read.  We have talked about testing on 2 books then coming back to the library.  I have even had to "ban" them from the library for 2 or 3 days, so that they do not come back.  Does anyone else have this problem?  I want my library to be a welcoming, inviting place, but the extra work it puts on me is becoming overwhelming.  I'm talking 200, 300 EXTRA books to process.  The teachers then seem to get angry when I send them back empty handed.  It seems sometimes they just want to weed down their own homeroom in the mornings, by letting them come every morning.  Help!  I guess I just want to hear that this is not an isolated issue, but something everyone deals with.....maybe?

[cara delia]

thanks!

[Kathy Malatesta]

I know that our 4-5 school has Media Morning. Each day students from one home room may use the library before school hours. The homerooms rotate on a schedule that is posted. While it wouldn't address the reshelving issue, it would cut down on the number of students there at once.

 

I am at the Middle School; this year I created 20 laminated passes using a business card template. When the 20 passes are gone, the media center is at capacity. In theory, middle schoolers shelve their own books. Reality is usually something else. ;-)

Hope this helps!