[CALIBK12] Library Contracts (was Playaways)

[Rusty Tooley]

I inherited a contract system at my school this year. Every student, K-5, takes home a contract at the beginning of the year or when they first come to the school. The student signs (or prints) his/her name, the parent signs it, and student's can't check out books until the contract comes back to me with both signatures.

I am not fond of the system, because of having to keep up with who returned their contract, and especially because of not allowing kids to check out until their contract is back. On the plus side, the contract includes helpful information to parents about when their child's library day is, etc.

My principal and I have decided that next year, we'll insert the information about "you must pay for lost or damaged library materials" in the school handbook. I will make a generic library information flyer with the helpful information (library days/hours, their child's library day, etc.) and give it to teachers in the fall to send home to parents.

Cheers,
Rusty


--
Rusty Tooley
Teacher-Librarian
Barron Park Elementary School
Palo Alto Unified School District
www.pausd.org



-----Original Message-----

Date: Thu, 1 May 2008 11:06:31 -0700
From: "M Masten" <MMasten at ktjusd.k12.ca.us>

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.