Student Library Assistants- Help you can Use!

If you don't already have a student library assistant program, it is time to start one! In times of shrinking budgets and increasing responsibilities, you can use engaged students to help manage your collection, create displays and resources, and engage student readers. 

The key to establishing an effective Student Assistant Program is having a job description: a clear list of the kinds of duties the student assistant can expect. During the interview process- yes, do this, it helps them to commit to the work- ask prospective student assistants what ideas they have for the library and give them the opportunity to contribute. The student librarian position can also be a great place for students with learning disorders or special needs. The monotony of shelving can be calming to a student who is very order oriented, but not comfortable engaging with others. Over time, students learn stronger personal skills, time management, and organization. While the set-up and training can take some thought and organization, the payoff is significant both for the students and the library. 

It is very helpful to provide a training course so that each student assistant has the same knowledge base. It is far more challenging for teens to just “learn the rules as they go.” Some jobs may be less difficult, shelving for example, while creating engaging displays and interacting with other students may require some guidelines. Then, establish a system to allocate and share tasks, and provide a feedback system. Frequent opportunities for feedback and recognition will encourage students and help them to develop new skills. Student engagement is the heart of the library and student assistants can play a valuable role in connecting to what students are interested in. These suggestions will help to create the library as the center of student learning.