Volunteers and TAs

Managing TAs and Volunteers

With proper support and training, community members and students, including Teacher's Assistants (TAs), can provide volunteer assistance in the school library. Adult volunteers must be trained and registered as a TTSD volunteer before helping in the library. 

Common Tasks:

• Dust and organize library shelves

• Design Displays and flyers

• Sort through donated materials

• Shelve library materials (students can place the book sideways so staff can check for proper placement)

Complex Tasks (More Training Required):

• Check out library materials

• Check in library materials (make sure they pay close attention)

• Repair library materials

• Cover library materials

Library staff must teach all library helpers how to be safe and cautious when using library materials and should adjust tasks according to their ability and preferences. 

Library staff must communicate that all information in Follett Destiny is confidential. All TAS and volunteers must complete a TTSD Library Volunteer Confidentiality form if they will be circulating library materials. 

Library volunteers should only use a Follett Destiny sub-account so that student IDs and addresses are hidden. 

Setting Professional Boundaries

Teacher’s Assistants (TAs) and community volunteers often build relationships with the library staff they work with. These relationships help library staff retain TAs and volunteers and can make library work less siloed and lonely. Working so closely and often with others in such an open area can be complex and vulnerable. The Ethical Educator section of policy GCAA provides guidance.

Building Boundaries

• TAs and volunteers should not act as the Library Coordinator.

• If TAs complete all library tasks assigned, they should complete schoolwork or read.

• Library staff should not exchange phone numbers or social media information with TAs while they are a K-12 student.

• Some non-library conversations help staff get to know TAs and volunteers, as appropriate identity sharing can be beneficial, though there should be limits. 

  • Do ask: “How are you doing in your classes? Can I help you catch up?” 

  • Do not ask: “I heard so and so has a crush on you. Are you going out with them?”

• If a student discloses concerning information, staff shall follow policies GBNAB/JHFE & GBNAA/JHFF and consult with their supervisor for support.

TA/Volunteer Workspace Placement

The workspace designated for TAs and volunteers should be separate from the library staff member's main workspace. TAs and volunteers should not work or sit directly behind the library staff member’s individual work computer screen.

TA/Volunteer Belongings

The most secure place for TAs and volunteers to store their belongings may be behind the librarian's main workspace. The library coordinator may offer TAs and volunteers a designated storage space there, though TAs and Volunteers should not linger in that area.

Why is this so important?

Maintaining patron confidentiality, appropriate space use, and resource management are core responsibilities of school library staff. Establishing these boundaries helps maintain confidentiality and staff control of the library and all related resources.

Support

If library staff have a TA or volunteer situation they would like help with, they can reach out to their Supervisor, the District Librarian, and/or their Union representative for help.