My original question concerned; items that were not really developed for the
library but people have found to be especially useful in the library. For
example, I have a shoe bag on my
office door with staplers, rulers, colored pencils etc. So, what kids of
things like this do you find really useful?
Cleaning supplies
The portable "Clorox" wipes are great for quickly wiping desktops,
computer keyboards, etc. because they don't leave a lot of moisture but do
clean up during those winter months when viruses are present.
The same is true for the portable packages of Pledge "multiwipes" which
can be used on electronics---I clean computer screens and other dusty areas
that need a shine throughout the year.
The instant hand-cleaner (no-soap) is a great way to keep your hands
clean between groups of kids and no time for (or no access to) the bathroom
in between classes.
The "Swiffer Carpet Flick" is an inexpensive carpet cleaner that can be
used to clean up small areas where a vaccuum is needed but none is
available. Just running it over the carpet helps to pick up those tiny
pieces of paper after creative projects, small loose dirt tracks, etc.
between cleanings.
I bought swiffers, pledge dusting cloths, 3 electrostatic long handled
dusters to reach to the ceiling and the tops of bookshelves, some yellow
duster cloths for computers and electronics, liquid air, velcro ties for
cords, murphy's oil soap, hand sanitizer, and clorox wipes.
Rubbing alcohol is a great product to keep on hand for computer mouse
ball cleaning, simple clean-ups around computer keyboards, etc. because it
dries fast and picks up the graphite. (And don't forget the cotton
swabs---not cotton balls, they'll leave some fibers---just the swabs, for
wiping areas around the computer.)
I've also used the spray carpet stain removers to immediately catch
serious stains on the carpet before they are cleaned professionally---
coffee spills, wet dirt, etc. can be sprayed and then left for the
custodians----however, check with your school's custodians to see if they
have something available to help you help them with these types of stains
because it can really save your carpet if you catch these types of problems
early AND the custodians don't mind you helping using the product.
Now with that being said...I also realize that most schools won't allow
you to have / access these products because of the students' accessibility
to them also....but in many of the schools I've worked in, these are not a
problem because we have them under lock and key within our department
closet. We just have to report owning them and where they're stored.
Mr. Clean magic erasers, and baby wipes for cleaning books
Wouldn't want to run my library without Goo-Gone or Un-do for removing
sticky labels and other gunk.
You'll probably get this tip from others but if not, babywipes are the
best way to clean dirty books. I just learned that from recently retired
librarian extraordinaire Beth Prosser.
I have recently discovered Mr. Clean's Magic Sponges for cleaning books.
These things really are 'magic'!
I have lamb's wool dusters (on a stick) for quick shelf touch ups - when
we don't have time to remove the books from a shelf and just want to quickly
get the ends with no books. My students aides don't seem to mind dusting to
much - as long as I promise not to tell their mothers they dust for me :-)
I understand that hairspray is also good for removing marks.
"Sticky stuff" removers
The "Goo Gone" or sticky-stuff remover (by any other name) has been a
great product to remove labels or other tape-based products from surfaces.
There are two things I really love that I have ordered from DEMCO and
although they are library items, I could not do without them. One is a
label peeler and the other is the Un-du disposable wipes.
I use WD-40 and Goo Gone a lot.
Tools
I have a tool box with hammer, screwdriver, scraper, etc for little jobs.
But the most useful tool is my long-nose plyers. I use them when disks get
stuck in the disk drive!
A hammer. Love to tell the kids that I fix books with a hammer. They
look at me like I've finally gone over the top. I take a heavy-duty
stapler, staple a paperback with most of the pages coming out, three times
along the spine. Then I turn the book over and flatten the backside of the
staples, sometimes which are sticking up, sharp. Pound them down and add
some book tape. Smooth. The parent volunteer who works on this with me,
she and I sing, "If I had a
hammer....".
Storage
I purchase the teacher cardboard file / paper boxes
http://www.abcstuff.com/storage.php
to put files, papers, and pieces of equipment that don't fit anywhere else
(computer earphones, computer microphones, etc.)
This may not qualify, it is very "office-y". The stacking desk holder
things. I put stacks of various papers the kids need for a project. At the
end of the year they are full of puzzles, word games and drawing paper.
Others
I also use ziploc bags to give to the kids to carry their books in...the
2.5 gallon size doesn't come in an economy pack yet but the gallon size I
buy in bulk at Sam's club. This goes along with the lessons on book care
and all the kids leave the library with their books in a bag every week and
must return them the same way. It prevented a lot of damage this year.
For some of the supplies I have multiples because I utilize volunteers to do
odd jobs and often the children only have 10-15 minutes and having more
dusters means more hands can do work in short order.
I also have another "odd" supply...I make pizza boxes into flannel boards
for our Jr. Kindergarteners. So I buy sandpaper in bulk to attach to the
back of their pieces since it's a lot easier for them to remove than velcro.
A laser pointer to point out sections of the bookshelves when it is not
convenient to get up and walk a child to the right area (we are a K-2
school).
I have one of those "magic hand" banks that run with a battery (you put a
coin on the slot, the lid opens, and a hand reaches out and grabs the coin).
The students WANT to pay their overdue fines!
On one of my listservs, someone recommended using a laser pointer to
identify the location of an item for a patron in those instances where you
can't leave the circ desk. I thought it was a great idea and intend to get
one for next year
Deborah Stafford
Gen. H.H. Arnold High School
Wiesbaden, Germany
deborah.stafford@t-online.de
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