[CALIBK12] Playaways

[Amber Claflin]

Nora,

We purchased Playaways earlier this year.  When we made our purchase, we
purchased extra lanyards, battery covers and headphones.  We've been
circulating for about 6 months.

Before we circulated them we shared the Playaways during class visits
and went through the different parts including the cost and how the
playaways work.  We also sent a note home so parents could give their
permission for their child to check them out.  We didn't want to scare
anyone off but wanted all involved to know how much they cost to
replace.

We haven't lost any battery covers. We ask that students bring their
Playaway back to the library if the battery goes dead.  We replace it
with a rechargeable battery and so far have had good luck with this.

We have lost a couple of lanyards.  We charge the kids a damage fee.

We encourage the students to purchase earbuds for $1 otherwise we
currently will loan them a pair if they don't have a pair to use from
home.  We have a set of barcodes printed on paper that we scan for this
and then we write the kiddo's name next to the barcode.  Next year we
will not circulate the earbuds.  It is time consuming especially during
a class visit and sanitation is an issue.  We will have the kids use a
pair from home or purchase a pair for $1.

I must say they are very popular.  We have about 150 of them with help
from the PTA and we usually have no more than 2 sitting on the shelf at
any one time.  Teachers love them too.

Amber 

_____________________
Amber Claflin
District Teacher Librarian
Etiwanda School District
Etiwanda, CA

-----Original Message-----
From: calibk12-bounces at lists.sjsu.edu
[mailto:calibk12-bounces at lists.sjsu.edu] On Behalf Of Murphy, Nora
Sent: Wednesday, April 30, 2008 11:15 AM
To: calibk12 at lists.sjsu.edu
Subject: [CALIBK12] Playaways

I just bought a bunch of Playaways, but haven't really figured out my
circ policy for them.  How are others circulating them?  Dealing with
lost headphones, broken parts, etc?  
 
Nora G. Murphy
Teacher Librarian
LA Academy Middle School
323-238-1834
 

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