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?

[Fran Bullington]

Wow.  Definitely a dilemma.  I teach at a high school and we are a big hang out place before school - BUT, the kids aren't checking out books and bringing them back unread as a means to visit the library before school.

 

Have you spoken with your principal or asst. principal about the problem?  That would be my first step if I were in your position.  Perhaps he/she can offer some suggestions or address the problem with the faculty so that you don't come across as being "the bad guy."

 

One other step that might work:  do you have student library helpers?  Perhaps some students from the 4th and  5th grades who are responsible and could be taught how to correctly shelve books would be able to help you.

 

Another possible approach, but it could cause just as much work:  Since students are wanting to check out books daily, could you give the teachers who seem to be sending them the most baskets of library books to keep in their classrooms?  The books could be changed out every two or three weeks - solving the problem or students coming into the library and not reading the books.  Maybe this way, some titles that might not be noticed by real readers might get read as an added bonus.

 

 

[Teresa Plumer]

I agree with talking to your principal or asst. principal.  Have you considered limiting the number of students a teacher can send at one time?  You could print passes for that amount of students and give them to the teachers.  If they don't have a pass, they don't visit.  Years ago, when I was student teaching (this was at a jr. hi), each student received a library pass for each quarter.  They could only visit the library a certain number of times each quarter.  When they ran out of spaces on the pass, they couldn't visit on their own again until the next quarter.  They learned to budget their visits.  Just some ideas.  I am presuming that they visit with their class on a regular basis and have the opportunity to check out books then, also. 

[cara delia]

I did try some of what you've suggested.  The first week of school I made 2 passes for each classroom, and explaind that only two children at a time from one class may come to the library, but generally the teachers have disregarded the two passes rule and either created their own passes and/or don't send them with one at all.  About once a morning I call out "Show your pass" and everyone has to hold up their passes.  I can clear out a room pretty quick that way, but then I am bombarded with phone calls from the teachers asking why they were sent back.  I love the idea of a sort of check system.  I might have to tweek this and consider it for next year.  I only have classes for k-2, so I do want 3-5 to have an opportunity to come when they need to. 

[Jessica Hinman]

Could you switch open check out time to the afternoon, maybe?  At the end of the day, I bet you'd only get the kids who really wanted a new book, not just the kids who are bored and want out of class!

[cara delia]

I wish!  Actually my schedule is as follows 7:30-8:40 open checkout, 8:40-11:10 classes, 11:10-12:40 planning/lunch/running around fixing computers, or finding books for teachers, or fixig any a.r. tests 12:40-dismissal open checkout.  Yet, the teachers complain that there is not enough checkout time.  LOL!  I think the problem is the teachers not just the students.  When I was a classroom teacher I kept track of when my kids when to the library, what they were checking out, and if they were actually testing on the books etc.  Some of these teachers do not.  That is the true prob.  If the kids came to hang out and read, then I'd be more than thrilled, but the extra man power it takes to keep reshelving the books.  Ugh!  Nice to have a forum to release some of the stress.  Even my good teacher friends don't see the annoyance in it!  Thanks for your suggestion...and ear!

[Jessica Hinman]

Here's another thought, it might be a little more work on your part, but what if you started some sort of morning book club for students who were either reading the same books or who wanted to talk about the books they were reading.  Maybe if you widely publicized a book club either 1- you could ask teachers not to send down disruptive kids or 2- those disruptive kids might actually become interested in the book club and participate!  Just a thought!

[cara delia]

thats actually a pretty great idea.  This is a k-5 school, so I could def. spread an interest with the 5th grade.  I don't know what sort of response I would get with the teachers.  I'll ask around to get an idea before I propose it to the Principal.  Thanks!

[Jessica Hinman]

In order to keep the kids occupied, you might have them create posters for books to put up around the media center or the school.  If you have televised morning announcements, you could also consider having the kids make commercials for their favorite books that will be shown before announcements start.  Maybe the mixed media element will get those disruptive kids more interested in books, and hey, everybody likes to be on tv!

[cara delia]

This i my first year as media coordinator, but I totally plan on doing a live broadcast of announcements next year.  I thought I would need to get my bearings straight this year before I overload myself. 

[Korie Mitchell]

Wow... sounds like the teachers at your school aren't very interested in collaborating with you. Would it be possible to assign each classroom a day of the week that their students could come for open checkout? Like Kindergarten on Mondays, 4th & 5th on Tuesdays, ...etc? Another idea could be asking for parent volunteers who could come in on a regular basis to help with the re-shelving.

 

Either way, it definitely sounds like you need to visit with your building administrator to get them on board though; It sounds like you are being taken advantage of!

[cara delia]

WOWEEE!!  Why didn't i think about assigning days of the week?  That is a very interesting way to approach a touchy subject!  I am in love with the idea!  Now, let me pose this to you, should I bring it up to the S.A.T. (Student Assistance Team) for this year or next year.  It is a new 9 weeks, and now would be an opportune time, yet it is the middle of the year and might be a bit of a hard thing to wrap their minds around at first.  Let me know what you think please.  Again, thanks for the great suggestion!

[Korie Mitchell]

If it were me, I'd probably bring it up now. The current situation isn't working for you. Even if no one wants to change for this year, at least you have planted the seed so hopefully it will go smoother for next year! Good luck Cara!