Any library volunteers out there to share ideas?

[swanriver]

I help a part-time librarian in school library. The system has changed and we now work with groups of 15 children at a time in 30 mins slots. Any ideas for how to make best use of this time, once kids have chosen their books? Library is computerized, but only one computer. We do poetry reading, project research and poster making at the moment. Teachers have not really got involved much!

Bumping for you.

What age children? I help in the library at ds's school, but that is a primary school. At his school KS2 is done by one of the TAs, who helps the children learn how to use the library as well as change their books. KS1 is run by the parent volunteers, who help the children change their books, and help them with choosing new ones. They usually come in small groups, but not for long sessions. Not sure how long the KS2 children get though.

4-11 SoMuchToBits. We are trying to get the children to enjoy reading and learn there is more to research than cut and paste. I was just interested to know anyone's experiences of dealing with the different age groups in a primary school library, helping select books etc. (I've been doing it for about a year and a half now)

With the ones I help with (aged 5 - 7) we just help them to find their way around the library. E.g. ask them what types of books they like, and show them how the library is organised (fiction and non-fiction) and how to use the numbered and colour-coded sections to find what they are looking for.

I think the TA who runs the KS2 library sessions does slightly more structure stuff, e.g. has worksheets etc to help them learn about how to find stuff, simple things about the Dewey Decimal system, and a bit of stuff about how to look after books.

Other ideas are to start discussions about the types of books the children like, or to discuss various authors etc, and say why they liked /didn't like particular books. With some of the older ones you could get them to do book reviews, which could then be displayed in the library.

One of the things we also have is a book where children can write suggestions for books they would like to see in the library.This can be books about particular subjects, books by specific authors, or even specific titles.

Hope this helps to start with, but I'd be happy to talk more about this. I love helping in the library.

Thanks very much SoMuch, I might come back to this thread tomorrow!

So might I, but I'm going to bed now. I'll check threads I'm on tomorrow though, and catch up with you!