[LM_NET] ELEM: Students with too many books

[Joanna Liedlich <newlibrarian@HOTMAIL.COM>]

Hello everyone

I need your sage advice on an unusual matter, please.

I work in a district that is rather affluent in an elementary school library 
with a fixed schedule.  I teach grades 1-4.  I have had a borrowing policy 
in which I require each student to borrow at least one book per library 
visit.  Of course, I go to ANY and all lengths to help children find a 
meaningful book to borrow.  There are various reasons for this, which I 
won't go into in order to save time.

Here is the problem: A handful of my students have families who read a LOT 
and buy them many books.  These children frequently complain that they have 
enough to read and they wonder why they should be required to borrow a book.

What has developed is that I have made deals with them.  If they bring the 
book they are reading to library and show it to me then 3 things happen:  1. 
They "prove" they are reading 2. We discuss the books 3. It gives me 
suggestions for new books for the library

How do all of you handle this quandry?  Have any of you faced this dilemma?  
If only we all could have this "problem"

I don't see the point in requiring them to borrow a book that another child 
might borrow instead.  However, I don't want them to grow up disregarding 
libraries simply b/c they have the means to buy the books they want.  What 
are your thoughts on this matter?

Thank you so very much,
Joanna Lemay
Librarian, Saucon Valley Elementary School
Hellertown, PA 18055

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