Responses to OZTL_NET Messages on Recess and Lunch Supervisions

I would like to express my thanks to those who responded to a request for information relating to recess and lunch supervisions in the school library.

I would like to keep the comments as anonymous but also present a summary of points that may need to be considered based on how schools manage it or individual perspectives.

• Check your award to see what breaks you are entitled to - It is likely you have the same expectations as a regular teacher relating to break times and duty expectations unless explicitly stated otherwise. 
• There are federal laws that mandate the length of breaks for an employee that they are entitled to. 
• If you have problems with securing breaks for lunch etc, consult your union if you are a member and speak to your school leadership.
• I know this from experience myself, but was reminded that in some schools, regular teachers provide the recess and lunch supervision either to give the teacher librarian an opportunity to have a break OR to supplement existing supervision to comply with supervision requirements. This can be seen as a workaround for a teacher librarian who is placed on a full teaching load, but there is a risk, would regular teachers be willing to undertake the supervisions if asked to do so and if complies with the conditions of the award in relation to playground supervision. 
• Every school will have its expectations. Some schools will be happy if the library has to close during recess or lunchtime to allow for breaks e.g short, staffing

Fees for lost and/or damaged library books

On the OZTL_NET forums this week, I have posted a survey on how school libraries charge fees for lost and/or damaged library books.

I have decided to review the process at my current school and want to examine how other schools may manage it.

Fifty Responses have been received so far:

45 % bill students the replacement fee as listed in the library management system.
35 % are billed through school fees and/or the school accounts department.

The remaining 20 % may ask students to provide a replacement, use a mix of provided options or the library would write off the costs.

What interested me (I have not come across it personally in schools that I have worked for) was that around 75% of respondents charge a processing fee on top of the lost item. Written responses tend to indicate a cost of $5.00. One has indicated 10% of the cost of the item.

I can understand why as well. Consider:

• The time spent by library staff ordering and cataloging the item.
• Delivery costs associated with Book Orders especially if it is for one book.
• Cost of buying a replacement may be higher due to inflation and availability.
• Tight Library Budgets

But there are limitations:

• Public Schools may not be allowed to charge additional levies/surcharges as schools are to be "not for profit" organisations.
• Socio economic factors. Can the student pay the replacement cost.

Thankyou to those who have responded. If you have not yet participated, please feel free to do so:

https://goo.gl/forms/NqdR3hM6JkgZYGF32