Lesson 10

-This week Cathy posed a reflection question of what to do with books that weren’t catalogued yet and whether or not to circulate them and how.  This is a question that I have been casually thinking about the last few weeks.  I have been TOCing in a few different libraries in my district and I have come across many libraries that have boxes of new books in the library offices that are waiting to be catalogued.  They are brand new and many of them look really interesting, i.e. novels that deal with social/emotional issues, war, etc.  I know there is no easy answer but one idea I had was to circulate them using a sign out book that is organized by division so it is easier to glance at it before a class comes in for book exchange.  This way, the TL can quickly reference it before book exchange begins to see if a student can borrow more books, has brought the book back, etc.  I think it is very important to get those unprocessed books out there while they are fresh in order to encourage students to read.  I will be starting a new TL job in a week and one of their school goals is to increase reading in the school.  I think by getting the books out there, I will help students read more.

-I have processed books a few times and I remember thinking, “This is taking a long time”.  Reading through Lesson 10 on UBC Vista brought back memories of having to stamp books, add barcode labels, print off stickers for the spine, tape book covers, and laminate book jackets.  In the end what motivated me to plug away and finish stacks of books was the knowledge that the sooner I finished, the sooner the students could borrow all of these new books!