Work guide for the Library Media Assistant*

• Oversees the circulation of school resources including library books, curriculum kits, novel sets and textbooks.

• Guardian of school resources:

  • • Ensures resources are accounted for through yearly inventory.

    • Repairs damaged items.

    • Identifies collection and resource gaps.

    • Ensures items are returned by building relationships with students and staff, and sending out friendly overdue reminders.

• Facilitates the obtaining of resources students and staff need through ILLs, and transfer requests from the Resource Warehouse.

• Matches students and staff with needed print and digital resources. Reaches out to district librarian for challenging requests. 

READING

• Promotes love of reading through book promotion. Book promotion ideas:

• Can reach out to Language Arts teachers to schedule library visits (secondary)

• Gives book talks; reaches out to district librarian to schedule book talk presentations (secondary)

• Creates themed book displays that are routinely changed.

• Creates/prints book recommendation pamphlets, read alikes, shelf-talkers

• Helps match students to books using the Destiny Catalog and Gale's Book Finder.

• Destiny Discover expert; able to show students and staff how it works.

• Promoter and point person for Sora  + Student Library Cards.

RESEARCH

• Promoter and point person for Library Media Services websites

• Knows basics of all digital databases, resources, and digital learning tools

• Can point students and staff in the right direction

• Recommends and promotes the district librarian's services to teachers for research projects. 

• Independently oversees an organized and welcoming library space

ELEMENTARY:

• Run structured library specials: 10 minutes of read aloud/book talking, 10 minutes of browsing, and 10 minutes of reading or independent activity. 

• Ideas for special activities that can be hosted in library specials:

  • • Makerspace and STEM activities

    • Special curricular projects lead by teachers with LMA as support

    • Guest teaching by the district librarian

    • Guest author visits via Skype

SECONDARY

• Promotes the library to staff, and keeps an updated digital Google Doc to book class visits

• Assists teacher(s) and students during classes visits; assists the teacher and students with any learning activities

• Train and mentor student library assistants. 

• More ideas for an extra boost:

  • • Partner with the district librarian and plan an open house for staff to promote new acquisitions.

    • Run OBOB, lunch book clubs, or book fairs.