Library Monitors

Rationale

Library monitors are a select group of students from years 5 and 6 who wish to serve their community in the library. This group has many responsibilities and leadership activities that comprise their role. Monitors are required to attend the library at least 2 times per week before school, at lunch time or during after school community library opening times. Tasks include learning to use the library computer systems, borrowing and returning during open library times, shelving books, general library maintenance, reading to the juniors, and assisting in running library programs.

The Library Monitor program aims to:

· develop students’ leadership skills including initiating, communicating, problem-solving, collaborating, and organising;

· promote improvement in the school and its community;

· Involve junior students in the library program through peer support

· provide authentic opportunities for students with leadership potential who may not have had other opportunities.

Selection Process

At the commencement of the school year, students in years 5 and 6 can apply to be a library monitor. This involves turning up to meetings at recess or lunch and placing their name on the list. A probationary period is then undertaken until the end of term 1. This allows the students an opportunity to show their skills and commitment and/or remove themselves from the program if they desire without consequence.

At the beginning of term 2 up to 40 students are selected as monitors for the year based on their commitment and attitude to the library monitor role.

What will each session look like?

Students turn up to the library during an open time or in the morning. There is a list of tasks that students are asked to help out with. Year 6 students have a roster system for when it is their turn to run the loans and returns computers at lunchtimes. Monitors must mark their name on a role when they are there for duty. There is also a roster to help with programs such as reading to the juniors. Shelving the books takes priority over other tasks.

Benefits of the program include:

Independence of thinking skills are encouraged through the unstructured and varied nature of the tasks each day

Students who would not normally take on a leadership role feel comfortable in the less public role

The library remains tidy and accessible to students and community

Students gain training in computer systems and organisational skills

Meet the teachers:

Mrs Louise Mashiah – Teacher Librarian