Checking+Books+In+and+Out

=Check in, Shelving and Check out  = 
 * NOTE: Refer to Athena Manual and Shelving Guide for Additional Information**

Check In
1. __Collect books from classrooms__ – schedule is on cart – check with me to see if there is a schedule change each day - when you put the books on carts – put them like on a book shelf – right side up – spines facing out – this facilitates check in - if classroom door is closed – wait until a little later to see if door is open – most teachers put basket outside door, but some do not.

2. Bring books to __computer to check in__. Scan every book's bar code. Be very careful not to skip any books. Listen for the sound – if you hear a beep and a bonk – it’s ok – if you hear a little tune – then there is something different about this book – it is on hold for someone, or was taken out of the library without being checked out, etc. Athena will direct you to the next step - usually just hit OK. If a book is on hold for someone - then set it aside and write that child's name and room number on the book and leave it on the desk.

It is real important to take your time and listen when you check in. If a book was never properly checked out, or is on hold for someone – and you keep on checking books in – then some books will be missed and not checked in! On some days we will be real busy, but don’t rush through this process.

If a book is not checked in properly and then placed back on the shelf, then the book will still be checked in to the student - this is the library's error. The student records will be incorrect and overdue notices will generate.

Shelving
3. Sort the books on the carts. There are lots of subsections in the library. It is important to keep them separate. Please refer to the shelving guide for details. - Displays – check out the books on display – holidays, etc. - Picture books – 2 sections – paperback and hardcover – keep them separate. This is the most common shelving error. - Easy readers – marked by blue dot - Easy chapter books – marked by yellow dot - Easy non-fiction series – marked by gray label over spine label – not easy to see - Oversize books - shelved near the easy non-fiction - Graphic novels – one shelf near fiction – red star - New Book sticker – one shelf near encyclopedias - Fiction – marked FIC - Nonfiction – with spine labels reflecting the Dewey decimal system - Magazines – in rack - Holiday – kept in order in the storage room - Videos – kept in order in storage room See the attached shelving guide.

4. Shelve the books appropriately. If you find something mis-shelved while you are working – put it back in the right place – common mis-shelving mistakes include – gray non-fiction put in fiction, holiday books interfiled with regular books, easy readers (blue) shelved with picture books. Look out for books that may have faded spine labels, that the subject does not make sense with the other books in the larea, etc. Refer to the shelving guide.

5. Straighten shelves – the kids can mess up the shelves when they get excited – especially animals and sports – check these areas before you go. Add a book end if needed.

Check Out Procedures
Use the bar code scanner to scan the child’s name (see binder with bar codes for each homeroom) and the HA bar code on the book. If you are ever concerned that a child is choosing a book that might not be appropriate – just send the child over to ask me. Don’t be afraid to tell them no – check with the librarian. The override password will be shared verbally.

See Athena manual for more detailed information.