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I have a huge library of kids books for my DCK's and I get a lot of requests by my DCP's to borrow books from it. I have resisted so far but am considering allowing one book a weekend to go home with the understanding that they sign it out and replace it if it gets lost or badly damaged. Am I asking for trouble?
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Yep!
Yep, I've done that! And yep, your library will dwindle/get damaged. Now with my families, I do a book/toy swap a few times a year. They all bring bundles of 10 paperbacks and we all switch around between my books and theirs.
They love it, and it gives everyone a variety. I buy all my books in huge lots on eBay, so they're not heirlooms or anything. -
I say that's what your local library is for, if your fortunate to have one close.Comment
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I would not do this. If I did relent, I would have strict rules and if a book was damaged or lost, families would lose the library privilege. Honestly, it sounds like a big fat headache for you plus these kids all have access to these books every day at your house. no need to send things home. I am assuming you have a library in your town and if not, the parents could organize a swap between their own friends or do something like that. dont feel you have to solve every issue they have.Comment
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I have a had enough time getting the children in my care to be gentle with the books....
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I have let kids take home favorite books...sometimes they come back, sometimes they don't. I do maintain a small library of parenting books that I encourage parents to use-if I have to buy 6 of the same book every year, I'm fine with that-I'm happy that parents are taking the time to try to understand their kids.Comment
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Nope. I have seen the state of the books they have for the car ride home, and how they treat them when not in my care. I treasure books, whereas the parents seem to have no issue if they snap the spines, rip them, etc.
I know I would be upset if I did a lending library and the book came back damaged, or never was returned. When I had my niece in care I did let a few books go home with her, as her mom said she could to avoid a pick up meltdown. When the books stopped coming back, I put a quick stop to that.Comment
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I tried this back in August of last year. It didn't go very well. Even though DCPs had to "sign" the books out, I had a hard time getting them to return them. I think it lasted maybe 6 weeks and I stopped lending books.Comment
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Never thought about that before, and now I won't give it a second thought after reading all the replies,.
I'd probably say no, just as I wouldn't let them take any toys home. The book will be quietly waiting on the shelf for when they come back the next day.
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I do this but with actual library books. Literacy is extremely important to me and I have parents who won't take their DCKs to the library. However, I make it explicitly clear that if a book is late, they will pay me late fees. Every week, I ask my kids what books do they want me to pick up and I make a list. Each child in my class has a "library card" and can check out 2 books for a week. My parents have been very good about "returning" books on time and the kids who don't get to go to the library get to have different books in their home. I treat this as a lesson in responsibility for my kids and their parents. So far, I haven't had a problem.Comment
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We have something called the Reading Machine. It is a mobile library that contracts with area schools and child cares so that kids can have the opportunity to borrow books like they would through the local library.
The Reading Machine has been coming to my daycare for years! The kids love it!!! The program is sponsored by our community education department so they send a teacher with the mobile library and the kids get a weekly story along with an art/craft project that relates and then they get time to go into the mobile library and choose up to 5 books to borrow until the next visit.
I cannot say enough about how wonderful this program has been! It's also 100% free, although they are always asking for book donations so we try and spend $50-100 a year on Scholastic books to donate so we feel like we give something for getting something...kwim?
BOTH my own kids were and still are (as adults) very active readers so I want all my daycare kids to have that same opportunity.
Here are a couple pictures of my kids from this last summer.Last edited by Blackcat31; 10-12-2014, 07:54 AM.Comment
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The Reading Machine-how cool!
I think this sounds like a fun idea. I have a boatload of kid's books I was thinking of selling as a lot on CL, but I like the idea of a lending library better. I know they are going to get lost and/or destroyed, but it would be another GREAT thing DCFs will brag about for word-of-mouth business.
Oh, wait. On second thought, maybe I won't. I think they will stop ordering from Scholastic if they can use them for free from me. Hmmm, I'm going to have to mull this over...Comment
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