[CALIBK12] Playaways

[Amber Claflin]

We do ask that students sign a form regarding both library materials and
the CDs that now are part of our textbook materials.  We give the
parents a chance to opt out if they so wish.  Many parents opt out of
the textbook CDs but very few (at most 1%) opt out of library materials.
We went through a period of time where we had more and more parents tell
us that their child was not responsible for the library books they lost
or damaged because we had never informed them that library books were
being checked out.  The letter also includes the cost of the textbooks.
Site administrators call home for any slips we receive by where parents
opt out of library book usage and encourage them to opt back in.

We have always had a statement right above the signature line on our
emergency card about lost/damaged instructional materials.  Most parents
sign without ever reading the statement.  For us it is more about making
them aware of replacement costs and we go out of our way not to not
discourage them from using the materials particularly during our
beginning of the year orientation.  We just want them to treat their
materials responsibly and to let us know when things happen.

Amber

-----Original Message-----
From: M Masten [mailto:MMasten at ktjusd.k12.ca.us] 
Sent: Thursday, May 01, 2008 11:07 AM
To: Amber Claflin; Murphy, Nora; calibk12 at lists.sjsu.edu
Subject: RE: [CALIBK12] Playaways

Hi,

Do you require parents to sign agreement before students can check out
library books also?  I have always considered the library books as
resources that were available for all enrolled students just as
textbooks are. I am being pressured to have students and parents sign a
contract before students can check out library books.

Mary Masten
Hoopa High Library
Hoopa Valley High School
Klamath-Trinity Joint Unified School District
Hoopa, CA

-----Original Message-----
From: calibk12-bounces at lists.sjsu.edu
[mailto:calibk12-bounces at lists.sjsu.edu] On Behalf Of Amber Claflin
Sent: Wednesday, April 30, 2008 12:45 PM
To: Murphy, Nora; calibk12 at lists.sjsu.edu
Subject: Re: [CALIBK12] Playaways

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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