[LM_NET] Classes who use books for an entire year

[Carol Van Brocklin <crucena@MOZCOM.COM>]

Good morning:
    This may be something that was discussed in the past and I am just not
finding it in the archives this morning, but if not I would love some
input.
     I have some teachers who decided this year that they will "check out"
books from the library at the beginning of the year and then just
keep them in their classrooms for the entire year. Usually it is
because they want to teach a unit for the year (WWII, etc.) but
sometimes it is because they are personal favorites of the teachers
and they want to have them available whenever they choose.
     While I enjoy the fact that the teachers use these books, I get a
little frustrated when a child from another class comes through and
wants a book and it is never on the shelf because it is in someone's
classroom.
      This May when several of these books finally came back I mentioned
to the teachers that it may be a good idea to buy some of these
books out of their own classroom budgets to have in their
classrooms. I even volunteered to buy the books myself when I do a
big bookshop in Manila and they just looked at me in shock and said
"Well, since they are already here, why should we?"
      How do other librarians handle this? Am I being nasty and selfish or
do other classroom teachers in other areas do the same thing. I
don't mind if they borrow books for a few weeks extra if they are
doing a certain unit since I do believe in sharing, but leaving it
in the classroom for the entire year I think is pushing. I know this
has not happened in any of the other schools I have been in in the
past so I do tell teachers that, but they still seem to think it is
my problem and not theirs.
        Thanks for any input.

Carol Van Brocklin
Librarian
Faith Academy-Davao
Davao City, Philippines

--------------------------------------------------------------------
Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
  You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings
  by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book.
To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu
In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET  2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
3) SET LM_NET MAIL  4) SET LM_NET DIGEST  * Allow for confirmation.
 * LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/
 * LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
 * EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://elann.biglist.com/sub/
 * LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html
--------------------------------------------------------------------