Teachers, you may check out as many books, materials, and audio visuals as you would like. Please try to have DVD's, CD's, VHS materials returned within a day or two. Books on Tape sets, Audio Books, and Theme Bags used for your learning centers may be kept for 1 - 2 weeks. If you need them for a longer period of time, please let us know.
3 Steps to Check out:
1. Scan your barcode that represents your name
2. Scan each book or item
3. Scan the picture that says "Check Out"
IF the computer is shut off, please list your items on the circulation log (clip board) at the Check Out desk.
Notes:
If you need resources pulled for a theme or unit in your curriculum, please try to give us a few days notice for a large quantity of materials. Please also remember, there might be other teachers teaching that same unit that need resources as well. You might want to reserve books for your grade level teams.
If you have any special requests for materials not housed in our library media center, we can check with the public library as well as CESA5 to see if the material is available.
Collection Circulation & Maintenance Topics
Circulation of Media Materials
Circulation and loan regulations are dependent upon the judgment of the professional staff and the building Principals. However, prime consideration should be given to the maximum use and flow of materials throughout the school and for home use. Only in unusual cases should students be prohibited from using materials outside the library media center. Lending regulations should be fair, with loans renewable, unless there is justification for limitations.
Procedures
Many methods for circulating materials have been tried by the previous Media Specialists. Some liked having individual shelf markers that became a student’s pass into the Library. Some let students check out their own materials. The latter created almost a dozen pages of “lost” books upon my taking up the mantel as the new Library Media Specialist. As I’ve worked with each school, I’ve found they do operate differently, and I’ve tried to even it out so there are fewer differences. The matter of circulation procedures is one that is a personal preference and works best for each school.
Both schools have the same quantities and types of materials students may check out.
Kindergarten – 1st graders may check out 1 book
2nd graders may check out 2 books
3rd – 4th graders may check out 3 items (3 books, 2 books & AV, 2 books & magazine, or 1 of each)
A type of “contract” is sent home at the beginning of the year outlining the quantities and “standards” (expectations) for the Library. The paper is to be signed by both the parent(s) and student and returned to the Library Media Center to be filed. Books may be checked out for two weeks, magazines may be checked out for a week, and AV materials (books on tape, DVD, CD, or VHS) may only be checked out overnight. This is true at both schools. A sample copy of form letter is below.
Redgranite
Students have individual shelf markers (about 3” x 8”) with their barcode laminated on it. Their names are clearly printed in large letters with marker. This just makes it very easy for each student to spot their shelf marker as they are ready to use it. The shelf markers are kept bundled together by class and put in the circulation desk drawer.
A 3-ring binder (1” notebook), also kept at the circulation desk, has a master list of all students and staff barcodes. Staff members are allowed to check out their own materials if the LMS or Assistant is not available. They may also check out books for students in their class, if they choose. Students may not check out materials themselves!
Riverview
Third grade students have individual shelf markers (about 3” x 1 ½”) with their barcode laminated on two-toned florescent paper. Each of the five classes have a different color for easy identification. Their names are clearly printed in large letters with marker. This just makes it very easy for each student and the person checking out books to spot their shelf marker as they are ready to use it. The shelf markers are kept bundled together by class and are hung on the bulletin board next to the circulation desk. Card pockets for each of the five classes are clearly marked with the teachers’ last names. IF a third grader checks out any AV materials (DVD, CD, VHS, Book-on-Tape, Audio Book), their shelf marker is put in the card pocket on the bulletin board that corresponds with their classroom. AV materials are for overnight checkout only, and the next morning, it is easy to scan the cards in the pocket to see if that student has returned their AV material!
A 3-ring binder (1” notebook), also kept at the circulation desk, has a master list of all students and staff barcodes. Staff members are allowed to check out their own materials if the LMS or Assistant is not available. They may also check out books for students in their class, if they choose. Students may not check out materials themselves! (This has been tried in the past with mixed results, as well as resulting in a large loss of books.) Follow the normal checkout procedures covered during in-service.
Loan Periods and Renewals
The Library Media Specialist will determine the duration of loan periods and other regulations concerned with circulation, according to the student, staff, and program needs of each school. Generally, such regulations should ensure the accessibility of as many materials as possible to as many students as possible. The decisions involving whether to lend or extend borrowing privileges should always take into consideration students’ needs for the materials, practical considerations, and the necessity to reinforce the concept of responsibility for the care and use of public or private property. Usually books may be renewed, within reason, but length of the loan may vary with the form of the material—e.g., books may be needed for two weeks, an audiotape or video-recording overnight.
Students should be encouraged to borrow all types of materials, and provisions should be made for home use of materials. Practicality will determine the extent to which students may borrow materials and equipment for home use.
Overdues
Each school may formulate policies for overdue materials. However, while it is important to encourage students to be responsible users of materials, it is not acceptable to withhold checkout indefinitely due to their having overdue items. Library Media Specialists should not clear students' records at the end of their Elementary and Middle School grades. Instead, as students move to the next school, the Library Media Specialist at the new school should make an attempt to retrieve any materials overdue from students; a tactful approach might be: "We can return the books for you to your previous school." During this time, students should be permitted to borrow one item at a time while giving them an opportunity to return the overdue items. At the end of December, clear the overdue records of students from the previous year.
Lost or Damaged Materials
Lost materials or materials damaged beyond repair should be paid for by the user responsible for the damage or loss at an amount not to exceed the replacement cost of the item. It is suggested that the user’s name and the amount paid for the item is indicated and that this information is retained by the library media specialist until the item is withdrawn from the collection. If the item is eventually found, money should be returned to the person who paid for it.
Circulation System
We us Winnebago Spectrum InfoCenter, which is discussed in more detail later. The company was purchased by Follett Library Resources over a year ago. Eventually, our system will change, once Follett does not support InfoCenter.
Circulation and loan regulations are dependent upon the judgment of the professional staff and the building Principals. However, prime consideration should be given to the maximum use and flow of materials throughout the school and for home use. Only in unusual cases should students be prohibited from using materials outside the library media center. Lending regulations should be fair, with loans renewable, unless there is justification for limitations.
Procedures
Many methods for circulating materials have been tried by the previous Media Specialists. Some liked having individual shelf markers that became a student’s pass into the Library. Some let students check out their own materials. The latter created almost a dozen pages of “lost” books upon my taking up the mantel as the new Library Media Specialist. As I’ve worked with each school, I’ve found they do operate differently, and I’ve tried to even it out so there are fewer differences. The matter of circulation procedures is one that is a personal preference and works best for each school.
Both schools have the same quantities and types of materials students may check out.
Kindergarten – 1st graders may check out 1 book
2nd graders may check out 2 books
3rd – 4th graders may check out 3 items (3 books, 2 books & AV, 2 books & magazine, or 1 of each)
A type of “contract” is sent home at the beginning of the year outlining the quantities and “standards” (expectations) for the Library. The paper is to be signed by both the parent(s) and student and returned to the Library Media Center to be filed. Books may be checked out for two weeks, magazines may be checked out for a week, and AV materials (books on tape, DVD, CD, or VHS) may only be checked out overnight. This is true at both schools. A sample copy of form letter is below.
Redgranite
Students have individual shelf markers (about 3” x 8”) with their barcode laminated on it. Their names are clearly printed in large letters with marker. This just makes it very easy for each student to spot their shelf marker as they are ready to use it. The shelf markers are kept bundled together by class and put in the circulation desk drawer.
A 3-ring binder (1” notebook), also kept at the circulation desk, has a master list of all students and staff barcodes. Staff members are allowed to check out their own materials if the LMS or Assistant is not available. They may also check out books for students in their class, if they choose. Students may not check out materials themselves!
Riverview
Third grade students have individual shelf markers (about 3” x 1 ½”) with their barcode laminated on two-toned florescent paper. Each of the five classes have a different color for easy identification. Their names are clearly printed in large letters with marker. This just makes it very easy for each student and the person checking out books to spot their shelf marker as they are ready to use it. The shelf markers are kept bundled together by class and are hung on the bulletin board next to the circulation desk. Card pockets for each of the five classes are clearly marked with the teachers’ last names. IF a third grader checks out any AV materials (DVD, CD, VHS, Book-on-Tape, Audio Book), their shelf marker is put in the card pocket on the bulletin board that corresponds with their classroom. AV materials are for overnight checkout only, and the next morning, it is easy to scan the cards in the pocket to see if that student has returned their AV material!
A 3-ring binder (1” notebook), also kept at the circulation desk, has a master list of all students and staff barcodes. Staff members are allowed to check out their own materials if the LMS or Assistant is not available. They may also check out books for students in their class, if they choose. Students may not check out materials themselves! (This has been tried in the past with mixed results, as well as resulting in a large loss of books.) Follow the normal checkout procedures covered during in-service.
Loan Periods and Renewals
The Library Media Specialist will determine the duration of loan periods and other regulations concerned with circulation, according to the student, staff, and program needs of each school. Generally, such regulations should ensure the accessibility of as many materials as possible to as many students as possible. The decisions involving whether to lend or extend borrowing privileges should always take into consideration students’ needs for the materials, practical considerations, and the necessity to reinforce the concept of responsibility for the care and use of public or private property. Usually books may be renewed, within reason, but length of the loan may vary with the form of the material—e.g., books may be needed for two weeks, an audiotape or video-recording overnight.
Students should be encouraged to borrow all types of materials, and provisions should be made for home use of materials. Practicality will determine the extent to which students may borrow materials and equipment for home use.
Overdues
Each school may formulate policies for overdue materials. However, while it is important to encourage students to be responsible users of materials, it is not acceptable to withhold checkout indefinitely due to their having overdue items. Library Media Specialists should not clear students' records at the end of their Elementary and Middle School grades. Instead, as students move to the next school, the Library Media Specialist at the new school should make an attempt to retrieve any materials overdue from students; a tactful approach might be: "We can return the books for you to your previous school." During this time, students should be permitted to borrow one item at a time while giving them an opportunity to return the overdue items. At the end of December, clear the overdue records of students from the previous year.
Lost or Damaged Materials
Lost materials or materials damaged beyond repair should be paid for by the user responsible for the damage or loss at an amount not to exceed the replacement cost of the item. It is suggested that the user’s name and the amount paid for the item is indicated and that this information is retained by the library media specialist until the item is withdrawn from the collection. If the item is eventually found, money should be returned to the person who paid for it.
Circulation System
We us Winnebago Spectrum InfoCenter, which is discussed in more detail later. The company was purchased by Follett Library Resources over a year ago. Eventually, our system will change, once Follett does not support InfoCenter.
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