[CALIBK12] Rubber bands on library shelves

[palacios4 at earthlink.net]

The bands on the shelves were installed by the district to prevent the books from falling during an earthquake.  I think this occurred after the Northridge Earthquake where many school libraries had all their books land on the floor.  

They were installed at all schools.  I don't know if it was to prevent legal problems from books falling on students during an earthquake.  No librarian was asked (as far as I know) if they wanted the bands or not.   They haven't been tested Only a principal could refuse to have them installed.  They are especially hard on oversized books as they tend to damage the bindings, and they do make shelving difficult.  I am at a high school, so they are easier to cope with at my level.  But the students break them on a regular basis because they play with them, snapping them.  

Sheilah Palacios
South Gate High School