Originally Posted by midaycare:
I have a pretty big kids library. Last count was over 1200. I have about 500 books available to the kids at all times, and the rest are out of reach. Out of the 500, dck's usually pull out about 50 a day.
I let them have free reign over the books. I work with a reading specialist and she says this is the best way to promote early literacy. It's worked well until now.
Lately I've noticed that books are getting destroyed. I'm not sure who it is, or if it is several dck's. I removed our "book boxes" so I have more control over the books, but I don't really like this. It hasn't helped the problem though. I'm losing about two per week.
It's not a matter of using board books - those get destroyed too, believe it or not.
I don't want to reduce library privileges any further, but I'm not sure what to do. What would you guys do?
I'd say that since the reading specialist isn't buying all those books, you have to do what's best for your business. Kids destroying $20-50 worth of books a week is not her problem.
I also have a lot of books. I have a rack that has maybe 15 at a time (and that's been recent..before that it was 5-8). I have another basket of about 5-6 books in my second room by a bench and small chair. I rotate every week or two, or when I notice people getting bored. My oldest here is 2 1/2, so they like repetition at this age.
If I see a book on the floor, I point at it and say "Alert! Alert! book on the floor!"
Cracks me up when I hear the kids do it, too.
Honestly, access to books is great for them. But, I don't think they need 50 at the same time.