What are your tips and tricks for surviving inventory? Do you have suggestions to make it go more smoothly?
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Inventory
What are your tips and tricks for surviving inventory? Do you have suggestions to make it go more smoothly?
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I do not have any tricks or ideas for making it faster or easier. I'm just glad when I finish a section and I've actually completed it without too many mistakes. I am looking forward to hearing everyones ideas and tricks.
ReplyDeleteThe best inventory I've done was when I had parent volunteers and about 6 of those handy hand-held devices that work with the Follett system. We were able to finish all the scanning in less than a day. It was pretty slick and went smoothly. I also was able to close my library for that day. Not an easily obtained option in elementary school, I've found, but so great if possible.
ReplyDeleteWow! Fabulous idea! What a DREAM to have inventory done in 1 day!!!
DeleteI try to get a time when I can be undisturbed - and then make sure I have a comfortable chair, lots of drinks, and some good old-fashioned (50's, 60's, & 70's rock and roll) music. and good treats for every milestone I reach.
ReplyDeleteI like the amenities, Joseph!
DeleteJoseph, That sounds like a great idea!
DeleteGreat Ideas! I have new speakers in the library, I can hear Bob Marley calling me to start inventory.
DeleteI like breaking up inventory since it's such a boring task. Round 1: SEP's in October, Round 2: SEP's in March, Round 3: the last week of school. Life during inventory improved a lot when we got wireless internet so I could just plop a laptop on a cart and not fight with 100 ft. ext. cords and 50 ft. ethernet cords. Can't wait to figure out how to do it efficiently with my iPad!! And DEFINITELY add some of your favorite tunes to make it more enjoyable. :)
ReplyDeleteAn interesting historical fact: When I first came to Whittier, the library aide told me we do inventory by her loading up a cart full of books, bringing it to the checkout counter, I scan them, she returns it to the shelves while I scan the new cart she had brought me. The shelves were much cleaner in those days because we dusted as we went. That only lasted my first year. The second year I said, "We're taking the computer to the books instead of bringing the books to the computer!"
I usually do it that way, because I LIKE the shelves cleaned and organized, but since I have to do the reading lab, the kit media and the science lab, I think we are going to find the easiest way to take the computer to the books...dreading...
DeleteI like to divide the larger call numbers into sections and assign a number to each section. That way I have a good way to mark where we stopped and not re-do any shelves. Also, it gives me a goal to finish a section before a certain time.
ReplyDeleteDestiny's inventory works great. i kind of liked doing it because it gave me a chance to find gaps, recycle outdated books, and ensure all was in order. i guess i like tedious jobs on occasion.
ReplyDeleteI had a student who was very good a using the library catalog, thanks to who is at Clayton, I think. He would come in every morning and look up boxing others and then come and ask me where it was, because it wasn't on the shelf. I decided to inventory the 700's,to find the sports, and I got a huge list of books added to "lost". I was so shocked, I thought how could this possibly be. I took the list over tho the 700's and checked off all but a few as here. I don't know how that happened. Treats, Joseph, I like the reward of treats. And the music.
ReplyDeleteOh! Another thing...a few years ago I started recording how long it takes me to inventory each section. That way when I have a chunk of time (say 3 hrs.) I know which section I should choose to work on.
ReplyDeleteI am just grateful that my inventory is finished. I was glad that Lonnie and I were able to work out some of the bugs that I encountered. I feel I will have a better picture of the books that I actually have on my shelves now.
ReplyDeleteThe biggest help for me was to have all the barcodes on the outside of the book. It has taken several years to accomplish that task, but now it is DONE!!!
...and totally worth the time spent moving all of those barcodes, if you ask me, because it saves SO much time at checkout and during inventory!
DeleteThanks Tamara for being the guinea pig. I use to put books on the cart and bring it to the computer too. Man what a lot of work. I like being able to go to the books. I did find out last year that we actually had a professional collection but had no idea where it was. Finally found it in unused cubboards, faculty room shelves and just about anywhere else you can imagine. Not looking forward to looking for lost books but I have become increasingly aware of the fact that I am missing some of my most favorites. Hummmmm I wonder where they are? TREATS are a great idea!!
ReplyDeleteAt West, we used to do inventory in one big push - all of the fiction, all of the non-fiction - we had parapros to help. This year, I am breaking the Dewey and the Fiction into sections - 100 to 300 or F A to F C - to make it more managable.So far,I have been bringing the books to the desk though I would prefer to do it in the stacks. And I have many missing books...bummer.
ReplyDeleteI am so grateful for everyone's input so far. Before beginning inventory, I have been doing some quick weeding this past week of some ancient and non-kid friendly books in the nonfiction section.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the ideas. I am going to weed and inventory at the same time. The collection analysis we did with Follett really helped me see where my holes are. There are a lot of books that I know are lost that are still in my catalog. It will be nice to get rid of them.
ReplyDeleteInventory makes me nervous and stressed. When I am actually doing it the repetition is relaxing. I think it is finding time to do it, and then just go for it. I like to have a time when my library is closed as well. It is hit or miss any year here. We do testing in here, so it is tricky to find a good time to do the job. I am thinking of staying after school some nights and getting it done. I have only done one inventory, the last time was last year and I did not get it finished before we were told to stop. So here we go! I will make sure to have treats, good music and put on my dancing shoes.
ReplyDelete