One more point ... You write:

I want to find out who’s in charge of the library, and see what system they’re using to handle book circulation. Maybe we can come up with something inventive!

I'm not sure if Canter has even a half-time librarian.  Maybe Russ can clarify whether there's a teacher whose responsibilities informally include the Library, or if Dr. Conlon or Ms. Ahad take it on personally.  

In any case, historically CPS has endorsed (and in some cases bought for the schools) only some 2 or 3 brands of library automation system -- the ones I know by name are Follett and Athena (a company which now has been absorbed into Follett).  At the CUIP schools where they already have one of these systems, we have been happy to help them install, re-install, maintain, or move the software; and make sure the Librarian (or the person taking on de-facto librarian duties) is in touch with the CPS Dept. of Libraries -- especially through the good offices of Christie Thomas, who is affiliated with CUIP and the University's Library, and now also works with the CPS Dept. of Libraries.

However, AFAIK Canter has not in the past had one of these supported library automation systems.  At any rate, I haven't noticed any pieces of it on the school server, though it may be worth taking a quick look specifically with that in mind.  Or possibly they have had something of the sort but ran it on a computer local to their Library, or had it on a now-defunct server and now just have the uninstalled software and manuals.  If it shows up in any of those forms, we could talk with them about making a fresh start.  

What they can't do, and we really wouldn't want to see them do, includes making a new purchase of these or some other commercial package, nor start using some open-source system, nor develop a roll-your-own software system.  The leading option for a library-automation solution would be for them to get in on the CPS-wide online library management system which is currently under development.  This is something they can learn about from Christie, or their Area library representative.  

You're right that it's a shame if they aren't circulating books just because of the lack of a circulation system.  We can't help them out with an immediate software solution (unless they have Follett or Athena available but unused), but maybe CUIP or the CPs Dept of Libraries can help them with some manual record-keeping system.... y'know, card-pockets and rubber stamps ...

Best regards,

 ==Mitch