HIT: Student library aides

[Vicki <veraken-vicki@REDROSE.NET>]

    My second question is in reference to student library aides.  Do you
have any standards set that they must meet in order to help in the
library?  If they fall below those standards, how do you deal with
dismissing them from their duties?  If you don't have standards, how do
you determine whether or not a student should remain a library aide?

Here is the information which I received on student aides.

> I'm a middle school librarian.  I've used student assistants for 18 years.
> They are assigned to me, one each period.  I do require good attendance
> records.  other than that, I take on all kinds of "project" kids!  Luckily for
> me, I have a wonderful adult library assistant who really bonds with kids.
>
> I designed a set of learning activity packets which teach them their jobs,
> and then instruct them in use of technology.  many have tapes, for which
> students use players and headphones.  Their favorite activity is when they
> write directions for the use of a CDROM; they also enjoy the activity where
> they write a one-page VIDEO FOR DUMMIES that we include with our
> camcorder.
>
> My students are graded.  Each activity packet has some sort of graded
> activity; frequently, for my convenience, it is a worksheet.
>
> I use all kinds of motiviation---I put all worksheets with 100% in a pile
> each week and draw out a winner.  The prize is always food.  I also give
> away certificates for goofy things---"Service With a Smile", etc.
>
> I hope these ideas help.  Good luck job hunting.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~In response to your question
about library aides...I am a new librarian ina high school library, and so far
I've only stressed to my student
volunteers that they must maintain a C average in all classes.  If they
don't maintain that average, I will send them back to study hall until
they get a handle on the homework, as I stress homework and grades as
being their first priority.  So far I haven't had to address any heavier
issues, but would like to hear what others have to share.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Our aides get credit, 1/4 per semester or 1/2 per year.

They also get a grade.

There is an exam at end of each semester.

Grades tell the tale.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

If you want to be prepared with rules, keep them simple.  Four general
"rules" will probably carry you for students, 1) Be respectful;  2) No
socializing; 3) Use library materials; 4) No food, drink, or gum.  You don't
have to choose these, but keep them simple and don't have too many of them.

(I figured these could apply to student library aides as well as students in
general.)

Thanks for all your help.

Vicki Asper
Still searching
veraken-vicki@redrose.net

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