“[Working as a library aide] has really helped me not only as a reader, but also [in] my taste of books. When you start out as a reader or a writer, you have a set idea on what you’re really interested in. But when you spend more time in the library and you’re working with the books, you see something and think ‘oh this seems really interesting, I’ve never seen this before,’ and it really opens you up to a new perspective on reading and writing,” Megan Lutman, library aide, said. “If you like reading but you don’t think you have time to, it really gives you a time and atmosphere to sit down and read.”

For many students, the easiest time of the school day is their study hall or their open period. This time allows them to take a break from their classes and maybe work on their homework, too. While some students use this time as a break in their day, other students choose to use that time to help in the library.

“If you enjoy the library, instead of going to your study hall, you can apply to be a library aide. And what’s fun about that is that I get to teach a lot of students the ins and outs of the library, like circulation. And I get to meet a lot more student since I’m not in the classroom anymore. Also I get a lot of book recommendations from these students and I can recommend books to them,” Amy Pine, library media specialist, said.

Students can apply to become library aides and spend their open period working in the library checking books in and out, shelving books, and helping students in the library.

“When you sign up to be an aide you’re helping the teacher or whatever office you are in. In the library you’re doing more than just running passes; you’re shelving books, checking them in, checking them out, so they give you half a credit for it. that means that if you’re in there for a whole year, you get 1 credit for it,” Lutman said. “I’m in the library almost every period anyway, so I might as well get credit for it.”

With very little training going into becoming a library aide, students who choose to do so can immediately start helping. After they finish their daily tasks, they use the rest of the time in that period to read, study, or work on homework.

“They train you on the spot. The first couple days you just watch and then they’ll let you do it on your own. There’s really no training process, it’s fairly simple. We check in the books and shelve them, which only takes about 5 minutes, then we can go back and talk to them or do whatever you want to,” Lutman said.

The library is a quiet place where students can go to get things done. Many students take advantage of this opportunity and use the library as a place to do work and study. While students are quietly working, the aides are working and getting to know eachother better

“I’m really good friend with the aide I was with last year,” Lutman said. “We text all the time and we hang out, so it’s good for educational purposes and you can make lifelong friends.”