Job+Description+for+Elementary+Library+Media+Assistant

RESPONSIBILITIES AND HOURS OF WORK FOR ELEMENTARY LIBRARY MEDIA ASSISTANTS GUIDELINES Media Assistants are paraprofessionals without library certification. They are trained by the Area Library Media Specialist to handle the day-to-day duties of the media center. The Area Library Media Specialist handles all other library/media responsibilities. FUNDING FOR LIBRARY MEDIA ASSISTANTS Funding for library media assistants in the schools has been allocated on a district level. The funding is provided on a per school basis and is not based on student enrollments. This funding is used solely to support the school library media program. Over the years, many schools have expanded the duties of the media assistants beyond their designated media responsibilities. It is inappropriate to use media assistants, funded from a district media allotment, for non-media work. MEDIA ASSISTANTS APPROPRIATE RESPONSIBILITIES • Work closely under the direction of the Area Library Media Specialist • Circulate books and materials to students and faculty • Manage the patron database • Reshelf all materials in correct alphabetical and Dewey order • Help patrons find materials • Read and share literature with all grades • Present prepared Media Curriculum with the support of the classroom teacher • Send out overdue notices to patrons • Process book shipments as they arrive • Notify faculty and students of new materials • Keep the library media center clean, orderly, and attractive • Make minor book repairs • Attend in-service trainings • Enjoy working with the students and the staff INAPPROPRIATE RESPONSIBILITIES Library media assistants are paid from a media designated fund; therefore, if library media assistants are needed to complete tasks in non-media areas of the school program, job pool hours may be used to compensate them for their time. Non-media assignments may not be assigned during media allocated time.

The assignments listed below are not appropriate for library media assistants and should not be assigned to them: • Select books, new or donated • Create book orders • Discard books • Plan architectural changes • Rearrange library shelving • Provide input on grants • Create curriculum • Assist in hiring process • Supervise students During recess In detention Taking tests Working on group projects Needing extra help When outside of the classroom In the library without the classroom teacher present • Perform non-media assignments Prepare Fixed Asset Inventory Reports Serve as substitute teacher Laminate for teachers Supervise playground Serve on school committees Supervise reading programs Supervise or administer tests Work in the main office WORKING HOURS Elementary library media assistants are employed to provide access and assistance to students and teachers needing to use the materials provided in the school library media centers. The library media centers should not be closed at any time during the school’s hours of operation without the express authorization of the principal and the area library media specialist assigned to that school. Eliminating access to the library media center to accommodate personal schedules of the library media assistants is not appropriate. Elementary library media assistants are scheduled to work 17 hours per regular work week; hours should be adjusted according to the District schedule for shorter work weeks. The school principal determines how the work week is divided between the two media assistants: 1) two and one-half days per week, or 2) mornings or afternoon. The hours each day that an assistant works should match, as closely as possible, the hours that children are in school. Assistants work individually except for a scheduled two-hour overlap once a week for planning, training, and coordination.