How do you keep track of library books?

Question

We always have out a couple dozen at a time and they end up all over the house. Invariably, I'll leave a few behind when we head back to the library to switch them out. Any ideas of how to keep track of the books, yet not to have them so restricted so my son can't look at/read them at will?

Answer 1

Have a specific shelf for them in either his room or the living room. Or even a basket where he keeps library books. Just have a specific place where they belong so that he knows that's where the books need to be returned when he is not reading them. He can read them wherever he likes, but this is where they need to be returned afterwards.



If you don't think he will remember to put them back, then make a special "reading spot" for him. A little table and chairs with his basket of books next to it. Make this the only area where he can read so at least they will be kept in a general area in the house.

Answer 2

I would recommend a basket or container that you can take with you to the library (you can leave it in the car), put all the books into and then carry into your house. Then have a rule that he can only have one out at a time and when he wants to read another one he can exchange it (how well that works will depend on his age of course).



Also, many libraries are now online and you can sign up for an email and/or text reminder a few days before your books are due. That's great to prevent late books. You can also view your account online and see the list of all the books you have out. I find this better than the receipt they give you because sometimes you may go back and get more without returning them or you may renew them so it always changes. That gives an up-to-date listing so you can count to make sure you have twenty childrens books checked out and twenty when you leave to return them.

Answer 3

My son is in 6th grade, and it's his responsibility to keep track of his library books at this point. When he was younger, however, he had a bookshelf that was divided into rows of cubbies. We had one cubby that was the "library cubby" - unless you checked out 30 books at a time, they would all easily fit in there. And I would mark on the calender when they had to go back - just the name of the book, I knew what I meant. We did this up til he was about 6 and he got a new bookshelf that had rows instead of cubbies, at which point he started reading mostly chapter books, so we only would really check out one or two at a time so it wasn't really an issue anymore.

If you don't mind me asking, how old is your son? It sounds like he's still reading primarily (or completely) picture books if you're taking out that many at a time. If he's nearly at an age that he'll start reading chapter books soon, then it probably won't be a problem for long. A basket is a nice substitute to a cubby bookshelf if you won't need it for long. You could also go to the library more frequently and just check out less at a time.

Answer 4

For one, we keep the receipt and put it on the refrigerator door, just as a checklist. There have been far too many times when we've left a book at home then trekked out to the library only to not be allowed to get out any books because we haven't returned any of them.



What I've found works pretty well is that we set up a little library at home. I bring all the books to my room and she selects one to look at or have me read to her. If she comes back for another one, all of the books have to be returned to our little bedroom library first.



We've had this issue for a while, and in the past I've tried numerous things...if the library doesn't work for you, putting all the books on a shelf works pretty well too. The key here is letting them have one book at a time.

Answer 5

I don't have children, but when I was little we had a library book/movie bin. On the way home we had a library bag that we would put the books in for the car ride, so none of them get lost in the car.When we got home from the library, we put them in the bin. After reading a book or watching a movie, we had to put the book back in the bin. As we got older, if we didn't put away our stuff we had to give my mother loose pocket change.

Answer 6

I have the same problem we always end up leaving 1 or 2 books at home when it's time to go back to the library. I keep the receipt with the due dates on my fridge and I we have the "book bag" I try and get my 7 year old to put them back in the book bag when he's done.

Answer 7

I desire that individuals could please end spreading missinformation approximately this. the respond is not any. actually not. Libraries do not keep music of the books you have study. We purely keep music of books you have lost and books you have saved late. perchance some library with extraordinary regulations like West factor's purely could. The CIA's library could with a view to maintain in prepare. we expect of of conserving that information as an invasion of your privateness and so in case you pick us to maintain that information, you're able to ask this question as a survey, "Do you think of that libraries could keep music of each and every of the books you have ever borrowed? Do you think of this is something which you're able to decide into or decide out of?" i've got replied this question 3 or 4 cases and different librarian have besides. in case you do a seek, you will see that the regularly occurring public many times says "helpful" and librarians constantly say "No". previous timers could bear in mind enjoying cards in a pocket of each and every e book. those enjoying cards had the identify of the e book and we stamped the date due on each and each. We saved a replica library card in a document field and once you appeared on the e book we'd eliminate the cardboard, stamp the date, and paperclip the e book's card to the library card. we could stamp the e book with the due date besides. observe, there became into no technique on your writing your call on the e book card so which you will have a checklist of checking it out for you - or every person - to work out. That became into on your privateness decrease back then, and that's the objective of libraries right this moment.

Answer 8

I always end up with a late fee so I started taking my son to the book store instead we drink coffee read books just like we'd do at the library only we don't have to bring the books back when we check out! And it ends up costing me less because there are no late fees

Answer 9

have a special place on the bookshelf (or wherever) just for library books. I had the problem of getting the library books and my own books mixed up. That advice was given to me by a librarian. Also, before you get new books, return the ones you already have checked out.

Answer 10

We keep a basket for them in the living room. When he's done reading/looking at the books, he puts them back. I write down a list of recent books so when it's time to take them back, I just check the books off the list. Same with rented movies.

Answer 11

I have a shelf in my laundry room. I have two plastic drawers, that are labeled "Need to go back books" and "New books". I make a list of the book when we get them, and before we leave i check off all of the books we have and go searching for the lost ones. My kids know they are not allowed to go into the boxes, and they are up high on a shelf anyway.



Hope this helps and good luck!!

Answer 12

Create a spot to keep the books (a box or shelf works great) and keep the list of books close by, that way you can do a quick check (daily or weekly) to ensure you've not lost any books.



Our library actually checks out gray tubs to patrons -- easy to fill, easy to carry, easy to keep together

Answer 13

we have a library bag - and i dont know how many kids you have, but a couple dozen books at a time seems a bit much. we do about 3 or 4 per kid.

Answer 14

Keep library books in one spot and return them on time.

Answer 15

We have a small table by the front door where I keep mine. You can keep them near the door. Try one of those cheap pop up bins and leave it in one spot and tell your son he can only take out one at a time and has to replace it before getting another.

Answer 16

I got better at tracking them when I had to pay to replace a couple.



I don't think I'd be able to track as many books as you have. I only get 3 or 4 for me and 2 for my daughter at one time.



I've found that the car is death for books. Who knew a Ford Fusion could have so many hiding places. I keep them in my living room, bedroom & daughter's room. At least it's only 3 places I have to check. I also try to keep big bookmarks in them. It helps ID them at a glance.

Answer 17

have a designated library book basket by the door???