Q&A for How to Care for a Library Book

With permission, put up notices about book defacing in the library. Sometimes, even temporary sticky notes left inside library books can be a reminder. If you see someone defacing a library book, politely inform him/her of his/her wrongdoing.

If the children are in the library, keep pencils, crayons etc. out of their reach. If this is taking place at home, send a note home to the parents as a friendly reminder for parents to pay close attention to their child's reading/art habits.

Well, it depends on how the person asking for the book treats stuff. If they write on it or eat/drink near it, you probably would not want to lend it to them. It's all about trust and knowing that they will have the responsibility of taking care of that book while reading it.

Care for a Library Book has 44 co-authors.

All you have to do is hand the book to the school librarian and ask them if you can renew it.

This depends on the policies at your library, so you would have to talk to the staff. Most likely, they would find it and all would be well. However, you may have to pay a replacement fee for the book, or, alternatively, you may be able to buy a replacement copy for the library.

Not everybody checks the books to see what has happened to them, but that doesn't mean you should do it. If you're caught, you might have library privileges revoked or be asked to buy a replacement book.

If your child scribbles or defaces a book, immediately let the library know in person and show them the book. Some libraries may have you pay the fine, but keep the book.