Library Aide Life - Our Attitudes
Attitude and character are very important as library aides, because our focus is customer service! Mrs. Brockman and Mrs. McFarland will rely heavily on you to assist us in the day-to-day operation of the library media center. The library cannot operate effectively or efficiently unless you are willing to do your job and do it well!
Here is a list of very important attitudes you are expected to have while working with us:
1) Be eager to help others - When patrons walk in the door acknowledge them with a quiet, but friendly, greeting. Ask them if you can be assistance and find out what they need to do in the library. Politely remind them to sign-in, unless they are coming with their entire class. Offer service with a smile - remember what it is like to be on the other side of the desk.
2) Show devotion to your job - While in your library aide class, your library work should come before personal interests or school work. Do not neglect your library tasks to do your homework, study for a test, read a book, or play around with co-workers. You are allowed to use your spare time wisely, so it is OK to get permission to do your homework or to study, but this should be after you complete your daily/weekly tasks and after you get an OK! Remember that you were selected for this job over others - it is a privilege, so treat it accordingly.
3) Produce quality work - Do a level of work that you can be very proud of and that will pass inspection! Follow directions and ask questions to ensure that if you are shelving books, cutting paper, stapling items together, stamping books, or attaching barcodes... whatever the task, you are doing it right the first time - not just hurrying to get it done. If you are working on a task that does not get completed before the bell rings, leave a note for the next aides so they will know what to do and where you left off with the job. If you are working on a project that will be finished when the bell rings, clean up after yourself!
4) Be punctual and dependable - You should arrive on time and leave on time. If you are going to be late, bring a pass from the previous teacher explaining why. If you have lunch during your library aide class, walk straight to and straight back from the lunchroom, keeping an eye on the clock.
5) Set a good example for others - We expect for your behavior to be exemplary - not only your conduct inside the library but also on the school campus. You are in a position of leadership, and teachers and other students will come to look up to you if you take your job as a student aide worker seriously and with a friendly attitude. You are expected to follow all school, library, and technology rules.
6) Be honest - You have access to our library database and should make every effort to check in and out items correctly. If you are called upon to handle money, make change correctly for fines, printing, or making copies. If a student is paying for a book, let Mrs. Brockman or Mrs. McFarland handle it. People who steal or are dishonest do not last long in the workplace.
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7) Do not take advantage of your position as a staff member - Handle confidential information (what people are checking out, if they have a fine, etc.) privately. Only look up a patron's record if instructed to or if you are checking a book out to them. If you are asked to run an errand, always take a hall pass and do not misuse this privilege of getting out of class by doing anything other than the task at hand. Once you have broken trust with the boss (librarian) you will not be asked to run future errands or permitted to leave the library for any reason.
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8) Be kind! Be kind! Be kind! - Do not use you time in here to gossip and talk badly about fellow students, teachers, or school staff. If you have to correct a patron, do so with kindness and respect and in as private a manner as possible. If you are having to deliver bad news (a fine, or can't check out a book), do so with kindness. Never insult a book that a patron is checking out or embarrass a patron because of a book they have selected. Always be aware of the tone of your voice - remember you are here to serve others.