Setting up a resource center

[amanfang]

I teach PT at a piano studio.  There are approximately 30-ish teachers, and while it is mostly piano teachers, there are also a couple violin teachers, voice teachers, and flute teachers.  And a fairly large Kindermusik program.  I was talking with the boss/owner/supervisor about setting up a library or resource center type thing.  And since it was my idea, she also said I could organize it. 

Anyone have ideas about this?  Maybe what to include (reference books, music(?), or magazines like Clavier, etc.  And then, how do we handle checking things out?  I was thinking about charging something like 50 cents per week or so, and using the money to keep adding things to the library.  But then, how would we handle check-outs and keeping the money?  Keep it on a sheelf and use the "Honor system?"  Or have a list of available references and then teachers have to request them?

Any ideas would be much appreciated.

[Bob]

I would just start simple and let it grow from there.  If it flops, you don't want too much invested in it.

I would go with the "fee" charge by the semester in stead of weekly. 

I know there is at least one thread about things to have in the music studio.  It includes a lot of things you probably want -- books, videos, literature, etc.

I would just keep a signout list -- pad of paper -- of who's got what.  As long as they remember to sign things in/out, it's easy that way.


Maybe more expensive things... except that would take a lot of fees...

Things you can't or don't get as an individual.  Like a book the teachers could read and pass around.

Things the students might use -- like books for sight-reading.

[jlh]

What about talking to the owner about adding a "library fee" to the lesson cost for each student?  Like maybe $10-20 a year or something like that.  That way you automatically know what your budget will be.

Edit: I see Bob covered this already... 

[amanfang]

I think we were thinking of this being for the teachers rather than the students.  I'm hesitant to add music to it... I'm thinking more along the lines of books that teachers can read to continue to develop themselves musically/professionally and maybe relevant articles.

[pianistimo]

how are you amanfang?  i hadn't heard from you in a long time - and i thought you had a heart attack or something.  forgive me for my lack of faith in your coming back for a while.  (unless you've been here all along).

the local ymca has a program that is based on the honor system and if you take a book - you bring one of your own to replace it with.  this is paperbacks, though.  for good books -keep your own at home.  inevitably the good ones go missing.  even if there is a charge.  i mean if you can buy a book for a $15. penalty - why pay $60. 

perhaps what you need is a suggested buy list.  one that teachers can add to - and know who of their fellow teachers has it - and do a one to one exchange between two people so you know who has what and that both have exchanged similarly expensive books.  might get yours back that way. 

another idea is simply to go to barnes and noble every month and sit and read to your hearts content and not pay a dime.  this is cheap.  i am cheap sometimes.  i've read some good stuff by solomon that i didn't want to buy at the time.  so , i just get comfy and sit and read. 

[juelle]

I have a lending library for my students that consists of videos, CDs, books, music, and articles.
It broadens their listening experience.  I charge a one-time fee of $10, which allows me to purchase new things and replace ones that are lost.  Very few have been lost over the years, probably an average of only one item per year.  I keep the log myself, for the items borrowed. 

It sounds like a good idea even if you're only thinking of resources for the teachers.   Pooling your money will help it go much further.

[keyofc]

amanfang,

Some pedagogy books, books about composing, musical form, books on praciticing,
preparing students for recital and composers history? 

things like that?

I think that would be a great help for the teachers-  I'll try to send you a list of my favorite books with the authors names, in case that helps.

[Bob]

I like the one-time fee idea for teachers.

I don't like forcing anything on people though, but I could see a $1 library fee being adding (without even telling them) to everyone's lesson per period.  Over time, with a lot of students, those dollars will add up.  30 students would be $30 in one semester, 60 a year.  That would add up over a few years if you wanted to purchases something more expensive.  And I doubt anyone is going to grip much about a dollar increase in fees.

[amanfang]

keyofc,

That would be great!  Thanks.  Our director likes the idea of charging $1 per 2 weeks to check something out.  And maybe something less for articles.  She said we could use whatever she already has, and then I will make some recommendations also.  We will probably start letting things get checked out in late August or early September.  The studio is primarily elementary and intermediate students, though a few teachers have advanced students.  There are a few adults that take also.  And students have theory/performance classes once a month instead of private lessons.  I think some teachers have a couple group lessons also.

Bob, your idea is good too.  Lesson fees have already been set for next year though.  I may mention that for the future though. 

[Bob]

I would keep it as simple as possible.  Maybe do a little addendum to the fees and tell them it's because you're just starting it.

I was thinking maybe a dollar every item checked out, but even that would be a pain.