[CALIBK12] Textbooks/Library Fines and Collecting of Monies

[Pat Guarnero]

 I too charge fines, but my approach is somewhat less stringent. My
students have 2 weeks, then the fines begin but I give them a 5 day
reprieve so if they return the books within that time I delete the
fines. After that the fine stands. All my students know my policy and
accept it and to my knowledge it hasn't stopped anyone from borrowing. I
also give them an opportunity to work it off if they are unable to pay.
They need some ownership and this gives it to them.
Perhaps the adversarial role comes into play when we, library staffers,
with our demeanors, present that kind of attitude. We can be flexible
and I am on many occasions. But in this day of budget problems it is
necessary for us to at least try and hold them accountable.

Pat Guarnero
Library Media Tech
Monte Vista Middle School
Camarillo, CA 93010
(805) 482-8891

-----Original Message-----
From: calibk12-bounces at lists.sjsu.edu
[mailto:calibk12-bounces at lists.sjsu.edu] On Behalf Of Donna Purcell
Sent: Friday, January 30, 2009 12:01 PM
To: Blanche Woolls; Glenda Webb
Cc: calibk12 at lists.sjsu.edu
Subject: Re: [CALIBK12] Textbooks/Library Fines and Collecting of Monies

I disagree.  I think kids and parents need to be held accountable.  I
never turn a student with overdue books/fines away from spending time in
my library, but they just can't check anything out until the fine is
settled.  This includes fines from a previous school, also.  Just
deleting their fine is not fair to the students who follow the rules and
pay their fines.  I don't charge overdue fines.  But if they lost the
book, they need to pay for it.

Donna Purcell
Library Media Technician
Jefferson Middle School

-----Original Message-----
From: calibk12-bounces at lists.sjsu.edu
[mailto:calibk12-bounces at lists.sjsu.edu] On Behalf Of Blanche Woolls
Sent: Friday, January 30, 2009 11:30 AM
To: Glenda Webb
Cc: calibk12 at lists.sjsu.edu
Subject: Re: [CALIBK12] Textbooks/Library Fines and Collecting of Monies

Since collecting fines in the first place makes an adversary role for
the 
teacher librarian, why would you want to be chasing these students for 
their entire school lives? The very thought that some mother or father
are 
telling their children not to set foot in the school library because
their 
last name might get them an overdue fine notice from 20 years before is 
mind boggling.

The children and young adults in our schools are there because it is
their 
school, and their library and their gymnasium. It might help them
refrain 
from trashing or even burning their school or their library (some do,
and 
the cost to "fix" is horrendous) if they saw it as their property and
not 
a "them" and "us" situation.

Or maybe I misunderstood your question.

Blanche

On Fri, 30 Jan 2009, Glenda Webb wrote:

> Our district recently went to Destiny.  To clean up some of the
records they want to delete any fine before the beginning of this school
year, including those fines for students still going to this school
and/or are still in our school district.
>
> The new district directive regarding future assessment of fines is:
once a student leaves elementary school, all fines are deleted.  Once a
student leaves 8th grade, all fines are deleted.  Once a student leaves
high school, all fines are deleted. The district says this directive
meets the ed code.
>
> Can any one give me some logical, convincing arguments to sway the
district to reconsider their decision.
>
> Or give me some logical, convincing arguments that the district's
mandate is reasonable.
>
> Glenda Webb
> LCMS Library
>
>
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