School Librarians Teach!
If you accept a substitute job to cover the school's library or media center, you may be suprised to find out that you are teaching classes throughout the day! School librarians do much more than check in and out books.
In many schools, and especially in elementary grades, the library is treated like a specials class (like art or music), so you may even see a variety of grades from one class to the next.
The sub plan should tell you what is expected:
- what lessons or activities you are facilitating
- any routines, such as how students enter, get seated, and use materials
- if students can check out or return books while the librarian is absent
- how students pull and return books to the shelves if allowed during class
- if students are allowed into the library during recess or lunch periods
- any rules with technology in the library
Teachers may or may not stay with their classes when they visit the library. This is often the teacher's prep time, so don't be surprised if you are leading classes on your own.
School Library vs. School Media Center
In most cases, schools use the terms "library" and "media center" synonymously. If a school has both, the media center may be more of a computer lab or technology space for students to use audio-video equipment.
If students are allowed to use technology or materials, it is important to actively monitor how they are using school equipment and to make sure that everything is returned. Just like a classroom, students can lose the privilege of using materials if they don't use them appropriately.
Common Materials and Activities
Here are some common things that the sub plans may allow when students/classes visit the library:
- computer stations
- iPads
- headphones
- blocks
- puzzles
- legos
- stuffed animals (reading friends)
- coloring pages and supplies
- board and card games
There are all kinds of lessons that the sub plans may have you facilitate, but a few common ones include:
Elementary Grades
- book talks (summaries/teasers to interest students in selected books)
- silent reading time
- reading aloud to the whole class
- understanding the parts of a book
- basic online safety
Secondary Grades
- book talks
- online research skills (finding credible sources, etc.)
- online safety
- test prep skills
- college info (applying, scholarships, majors, etc.)
- career exploration
Library Behavior Expectations
It is important to make sure that students follow behavior expectations for the school and any special expectations for the library. Some things may be especially strict or emphasized, such as no food, drink, or gum because of the possible damage to the special materials in the library.
For some students, especially in the secondary grades, the library may be a place that they don't get to visit as often. This can bring a lot of excitement but also some misbehaviors if you aren't clear in reminding students of the expectations from the beginning.
Just like any other classroom, never leave students unattended. If you need to leave for the restroom, make arrangements with the office or other staff to have someone supervise students while you step away. If there are no students or classes and you are leaving the library, such as during your lunch time, make arrangements with the office to lock and later re-open the doors so that students cannot enter and use/take materials unsupervised.
