Q & A
Where do you shelve your graphic novels and /or manga?
* in a separate section, and as a new collection in Oliver * GRA on the spine * separate and in baskets according to series * with GRA on the first line of the spine label, collection on the second and location on the third * we also created a separate collection - well .. 2 collections - Graphic Novels (GN spine label) & Graphic Novels Senior Fiction (GNSF) & we have moved each to their own carousel (S) .. this has been HUGELY popular move amongst our kids * I’ve just ditched my separate graphics section. It was great initially to engage some reluctant readers, but became a bit of a hazard- the rumble of bodies to get their hands on them. It was also mostly empty, prime shelving real estate, and I found many kids were limiting their library perusal to graphics only. I’ve popped them all back into the fiction collection, with some signage to help them identify where favourites are now located . Kids complained briefly, but are now used to it, and more likely to have something else catch their eye * In the collection as normal with spine labels identifying them. I don’t agree that they should be seperate. We should be teaching kids how to find these books in any library and I use spine labels identifying graphics etc.
Do you have a limit on students loans?
*I start with limiting borrowing according to year - and what I know of the student - then, once, we're in the borrowing routine, I change borrowing to suit individual students, regardless of their year. I have some great borrowers and want to keep feeding their enthusiasm. I usually start Yr 3 with 3, Yr 4 with 4 and Yrs 5-6 with 5, but it does also depend on what I know of the student in previous years * Foundation: start with 1 and then increase to 2 mid year, once they’ve been introduced to their readers and are used to returning/borrowing (must have a library bag); Grades 1-2: 2 books with a library bag; Grades 3-6: 4 books, library bag optional; Grades 7+: 4 books, but if they’re after more, we’ll let them. Before me, there were all kind of rules and restrictions like 2x non fiction, 2x fiction and not borrowing 4 of the same type. But we just want kids reading and not getting confused by that. Borrowing stats went up dramatically, including non fiction! * One book each P-6 as we have shocking return rates * I had limits set by year as well, making it a bit of a "ooh when you are in year 5 you can borrow X books" but I was also willing to break the rules dependant on the circumstance - 'Miss I can't decide between X, Y and Z and I am only allowed 2' - that's ok borrow all 3! * Kindy for the first half of year can borrow 2, then after the whole school gets 4 * It’s hard on parents to be responsible for lots of books for their quite young children. One or two books for K-2 while they learn the routines, then gradually an extra each year after up to six for Year 6 * I allow all students (K-12) to borrow 2 books at a time. But they can come back any day to return and borrow more books * I have always been 1 book for kindergarten for term 1 and 2 books for everyone else for the whole year. Kindergarten really look forward to term 2 when they can borrow 2 books. I do restrict some borrowers to 1 book if they have a history of losing or damaging books from the year before but if they have a good record for a term then the restriction is lifted. I am thinking about lifting the limit to 3 and 4 books for year 3/4 and 5/6 respectively from term 2 onwards. Only the children who are keen will borrow that many anyway is my thinking. My biggest concern is if a loan doesn't come back I lose more books. My budget is very tight so I cannot afford to replace books * We have almost 1000 kids so every student borrows 2 books each week * I keep it simple - Kinder 1 book: St 1 2 books; St 2 3 books; St 3 4 books. Each book has a 2 week loan. Classes attend every week, or students can borrow any or every lunch time! Close off date in Oliver calendar is the 2nd last Friday terms 1,2 & 3 & then 3 weeks out from end of year
Should I accession uncorrected proofs?
* I’d put them in a prize box. Mostly there are no errors in them but I think the intention is add the finished book to your library. That’s how the author etc gets their tiny royalty. Also they often don’t contain the finished art
Library awards - what are some options?
* I have a library award for someone that has shown how much they love the library this year. So I take into consideration, book borrowing, behavior, attitude towards library lessons and reading. Stuff like that * My criteria: • regularly borrows from a range of genres • expresses their interest in books
• contributes often to class/book discussions • works consistently to improve library skills * I like the idea of a general Library Excellence Award. That way it can be customised to suit the student/s it is awarded to each year. One year you may have someone who provides outstanding leadership by helping with shelving, consistently keeping the library tidy, and reading with younger students. Another year you may have someone who advocates for your library by presenting book reviews, making recommendations to their peers, helping with book selections for the library, and preparing library displays. If you have any author signed copies of books, they make a treasured prize * Ours is one award to a year 6 student - literacy appreciation award. The criteria involves regular borrowing, home reading, PRC, participation in class etc from K-6 * I’m doing 1 award across K-6 based on borrowing and engagement with library lessons. The student will receive a book and this year’s National Simultaneous Storytime book * Just to our 4 dedicated Yr 6 librarians- Community Award * I do one award per grade level and it is based on engagement in library content
Do you use contact on hard covers?
* I do, but only cover the front and about 1/3 of the back * I use adhesive contact on hard cover books with no issues. However I have met many other librarians who prefer the non adhesive plastic wrap for hard cover books. But no matter how many times I am taught I cannot cover a book with that non adhesive plastic wrap. It does my head in and I hate it!! * My opinion would be we keep hardcovers for longer and when you take off the plastic (not contact that can’t be removed) and put fresh plastic cover (assuming you have time, personnel and resources) the book suddenly looks brand new. They do this quite regularly in the library where I volunteer. I’m often shocked to discover a book that looks really new could be quite old * It’s all about what you prefer. Me: I like plastic on hardcovers and I have a special method to cover dust covers so they still look like a dust over and contact for paperbacks for strength * I use contact on all our hardbacks. The only time I use plastic is for books with dust cover, and then I take off the dust cover if possible (unless the dust cover and the actual cover are different) and use contact there too. I find students pick at the plastic and rip it from the top or bottom of the spine. They tend (usually!) not to do this with contact covered book * We had people run their fingernail down the spine and break the contact. Which then gets dirt under it and peels back. Looks ugly and can't be removed. Hard covers always covered in plastic * I contact all over, I also add a preemptive strip to the inside to help the cover stay attached to the book * I use it for all my hardcovers. If it gets tatty etc but the book is good, I find you can pull off contact and recover