Media centers operate as libraries, so books are a mainstay. Media attendants in schools perform librarian or library assistant duties. This means media attendants will help children select and check out books for the students to read. Media attendants will also check books in, perform the inventory of current books, order new books and dispose of old books.
Media attendants help students with technology in school media centers. Most school card catalogs are now digital, so media attendants help students use the card catalog to find books. Media attendants help students use a variety of software applications, such as word processor and presentation software, to compose assignments. Media attendants may oversee students playing educational games on the computers. They also troubleshoot basic technology problems, such as printer trouble.
Media attendants perform many duties behind the scenes to take care of a school media center. For example, media attendants keep track of media center supplies. They also identify damaged or missing books, send out overdue book notices, maintain periodicals and attend departmental meetings. Media attendants may also compile reports about usage so the school can keep track of how students and teachers use the media center.
Media attendants must work with teachers to provide the best educational experience for the students at the school. They coordinate with teachers to create a schedule for classes to visit the media center. Media attendants ensure students have access to computers during visits. If the media center visit is the first for a class, a media attendant might take time to familiarize students with the media center offerings. Some teachers may request copies of a particular book for their class. A media attendant will take book and materials requests from teachers and reserve these books for the teacher to use.