Junior Librarians

Written with the help of Ayla, Isabella, Etholle, Thomas, Eesha, Clara, Rosie, Henry, Holly, Elodie, Sophie and Christina

Intent

In their role as Junior Librarians, the children aim to:

• Look after the Library and ensure it is tidy
• Encourage others to treat the Library with respect
• Encourage others to look after the books
• Help others to find the books they want and make recommendations
• Be role models during class library sessions; encouraging quiet reading time and helping to scan books for borrowing / returning
• Inspire others to develop a love of books and reading

Implementation

Children in Years 1-6 who are interested in this role must fill in an application form stating who they are, describe their interests and explain the reasons why they would like the job and what qualities they believe they could bring to the role.  Class Teachers then choose the two best applicants to represent their class.  Those children chosen are then presented with Junior Librarian badges so they can be easily identified around the school, which they wear proudly!  Our Junior Librarians value their role and carry out their duties responsibly, as follows….

During class library sessions we help the children return their books by scanning these back in and then issuing them with any new book they wish to borrow (KS2 JLs).  We help children in finding new books as well as showing them the correct place to return books on the shelves, encouraging them to help keep our library tidy.  We lead by example, treating the books and library space with respect and behaving in a respectful manner.  At the end of each library session, we remain behind to ensure that everything is tidy before returning to class. 

As we all love books and reading we help to share our interest by making recommendations to others, supporting our class mates to find books they will really enjoy!

Impact

We know that reading is very important, not just for the enjoyment it can bring us, but also because it:

1. Helps improve creativity and imagination
2. Helps us to learn
3. Increases our vocabulary
4. Improves our memory
5. Increases our concentration and attention span
6. Improves our writing skills

As well as undertaking their role during weekly library sessions, our Junior Librarians have helped to encourage the love of reading in a variety of ways, not least by taking an active role during World Book Day.  They enjoyed ‘buddying up’ with children from other year groups to share stories and in our WBD assembly, they read snippets from some of their favourite books.  This year they were also instrumental in helping to run the ‘book swap’.  Most recently they have helped to lead a lunchtime Storytime club for the reception children, reading and sharing stories and doing book related activities. 

Plans are underway to create an ‘outdoor reading area’ with the view of expanding the love of reading by bringing it outside!  This will be a designated seated area where the children will have the opportunity to borrow books during the lunchtime break and sit in a comfortable space to quietly read and share stories.  This will be manned on a rota basis by the Junior Librarians, who will be responsible for loaning out books from a trolley and then ensuring their collection at the end.

One of our Junior Librarians described our library as: “being in the best place in the world” and it is our hope that the other children in the school can feel inspired the same way, whether it be inside or outdoors!