Library Monitors
Information Booklet
For
Library Monitors
Blackwater North State School
Information Centre
Our Information Centre has to look after many resources: books, CD-ROM’s, video’s, vertical files and so on. It is a very big job, which takes a lot of time.
As a Library Monitor you can help the Teacher-Librarian and Teacher Aide to keep resources in good condition.
With your help our Information Centre will always be a good place to visit. The most important thing to remember is that the aim of the Library Monitor is to HELP people to find and use resources.
Who can help?
Children from Year 7 can become Library Monitors. You don’t have to be the best at spelling and number facts. You must WANT to work in the Information Centre and you have to be ready to give up some of your own time.
Talk to the Teacher-Librarian about the job. You will be asked to fill in an application form and the Teacher-Librarian will talk to your teacher.
The job is one of trust and responsibility. If you break our trust you may not be allowed to help any longer.
You don’t have to be extra good, just a good helper.
How you can help
There isn’t enough room here to show you how to do all the many job that you can help with. To do these jobs you will need to learn how to do many different things. The Teacher-Librarian and Teacher Aide will help you to learn to do many of these.
As a Library Monitor you may be asked to:
¨ work at the desk, checking books
¨ shelve resources
¨ straighten books in the shelves
¨ help users find resources
¨ help users use the LIBCODE System
¨ read to other children
¨ assist in processing
¨ arrange displays
¨ look after magazines
¨ put things in the vertical file
¨ deliver messages/notices to teachers
¨ water and care for plants
¨ help keep the Information Centre clean, tidy and attractive
¨ set up activities
¨ sharpen pencils
¨ supervise younger children with puzzles and games
¨ put in computer games and take them out
Rules
Because you work for the Information Centre you must show people how they should act while they are there. If people see you doing a good job, they will want to be like you.
Library Rules
Be considerate of other people in the room.
Take care of materials and equipment.
With all these different jobs you will be helping people. You will learn a lot about the Information Centre, and will be able to show other people where to find things or how to use them.
Please remember that this does not make you the boss of the Information Centre. You can show people how they should behave by doing your jobs properly and by not disturbing others.
If you see people causing problems tell the Teacher-Librarian or Teacher Aide and don’t do anything about it yourself.
As a Library Monitor you will be handling many things in the Information Centre. It is important to remember these things.
You should:
¨ have clean hands
¨ remove books carefully from the shelves
¨ turn pages by the outer corners
¨ keep fingers off slides, films and tapes
¨ take care with electrical equipment
¨ shelve books carefully
¨ with the spine facing out
¨ protect things from the weather
¨ eat outside the Library
¨ show broken or damaged things to the Teacher-Librarian or Teacher Aide
¨ not try to lift heavy things alone
Training
Before you are allowed to work by yourself in the Information Centre you will need to learn to do some of the Library jobs. The Teacher-Librarian and Teacher Aide will help you to learn to do these things properly.
After you have learnt to do some of the jobs you will be tested so that you can show the Teacher-Librarian or Teacher Aide that you can do these things by yourself. You will also be presented with a certificate to show that you have passed your test.
When you can help
Your help may be needed in the mornings (before school) and at lunchtime. Not every day, but how often and what times will depend on how many helpers we have and the other things that you have to do.
Mornings are usually not very busy but help is needed with tidying the shelves and messages.
Lunchtime is usually busy, so extra help may be needed then. You will have time for your lunch first, and then you will be given a specific job to do.
There may be other times when you will be asked to help in the Information Centre. These times will be worked out depending on what your class teacher says and what work you’re doing in class.
Blackwater North State School
Information Centre
Application Form – Library Monitor
Name: _____________________________________
Class:_______________________________________
Why I want to be a Library Monitor __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
What I want to learn.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I acknowledge ____________________ is an applicant for the position of Library Monitor.
__________________________________________
Class Teacher
I hereby give permission for my child to become a Library Monitor and understand that they have agreed to give freely of their time.
Parent/Guardian
Application Form
Please tick the boxes to show the times that you are available to work as a Library Monitor.
Before School Lunch Time
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
