Fundraising

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Fundraising

Required Readings

Bishop 16

Standards

4.2B Applies accepted management principles and practices that relate to personnel, financial, and operational issues

Supplemental Readings

MAF's commentary on Bishop 16
MAF's bookmarks: fundraising

Discussion Points

Remember that there is usually some procedure you must follow to get a fundraiser of any kind approved -- often well in advance of the event.
Book Fairs are probably the most common SLMC fundraiser. Keep up-to-date by talking to your colleagues about the current best companies, best deals, easiest set ups, and foxy strategies for ethically coming out ahead. Try not to feel under pressure to do these just to do them. It is not a formal responsibility, but instead a strategy for accomplishing goals.
Remember that fundraisers should

be learning experiences for kids
not exploit kids
not detract from the SLMP mission, nor distract from your work more than a limited amount of time
In my opinion, many fundraisers in schools in general violate these guidelines. I understand budget desperation - but that is no justification for exploitation.

Collect cool fundraiser ideas from your colleagues.

Annually at my church a call goes out for members to purchase one children's book for our adopted school. The SLMS provides a list of suggestions. On the appointed day, approximately 50 new books are collected. I think this is a fun, no-overhead, high ROI project that really benefits all who participated.

Some folks find one good fundraiser and use it as a tradition every year. Others like to try a variety of methods.
And then there's grantwriting.
Good resource: Supplementing your Media Center Budget, by Tracey, Bruce, Amanda, Charmaine (C4)
Bishop's chapter is a comprehensive treatment of this topic.

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References

Bishop, K. (2007). The collection program in schools: Concepts, practices, and information scources (4th ed.). Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited.
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Morris, B.J. (2004). Administering the school library media center (4th ed.). Westport, CN: Libraries Unlimited. ISBN 1-59158-183-4.
Thelen, L. (2003). Essentials of elementary school library management. Linworth. [*need city. In MAF's library, Athens]

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Page history: full update 4-23-09