The Library Monitors at Saint Paul’s Catholic High School in Wythenshawe, Greater Manchester are students who help in the library at break and lunch times. They work with the librarian, Mrs Irena Savova, to help the library run smoothly and efficiently and provide an opportunity for students to be active in decision making about what the library offers.
Organising students to help with the library not only ensures the smooth day-to-day running of the library, but also helps develop a sense of responsibility, achievement and self-esteem in the children.
The role of Library Monitors provides leadership opportunities within the school, it encourages ownership of the library by students, improves the library environment following student input and provides the opportunity to learn new skills, including research and ICT skills.
When selecting Library Monitors the school takes into consideration the student’s willingness to take responsibility, their interest in promoting the library, being a team player, their willingness to give up some time at break and lunchtimes to help out in the library, being organised and accurate, their desire to make the library space a safe and enticing place for other students to use and providing friendly customer service.
Mrs Savova explained: “The monitors volunteer during break and/or lunch on a rota to help with tasks such as issuing/retuning/renewing books, shelving, collecting and giving out passes, promoting the library (putting posters around school or helping running activities), giving out reminders to forms, helping younger students with homework or troubleshooting issues with computers such as logging in, printing, etc.
They gain a valuable experience and are trained how to use the library management system and some of them go on work experience in public libraries (last year Minna and Kezia did their work experience there).
Quite a few of them are doing, or intend to do, the Duke of Edinburgh award and use the experience they gain in the library as part of their volunteering or skills section.”
“Our Library Monitors do a wonderful job of helping our Librarian, carrying out varied jobs to keep our library looking wonderful,” added Mr Jamie Sharrock, English Teacher and Literacy Coordinator. “They help other students and teachers in the library, assist to keep the library a wonderful place to visit, help build a love of reading, help organise activities for other students to participate in when visiting the library, assist the librarian to come up with new ideas and activities and promote the love of visiting the library.”
“Saint Paul’s has a motivated and dedicated group of students who assist in the library during break and lunchtimes,” said Mr Mike Whiteside, Head Teacher. “A big well done to them all for their super work, your help is greatly appreciated by staff and students alike.”