ISP Librarian Role Profile
Purpose of Role
The purpose of the role of the Librarian is to plan and implement the school's library policy in consultation with the Head of Primary and Principal. They must ensure all students and staff members are effective users of information with the effective use of the library and its resources. The librarian would empower students to be critical thinkers, enthusiastic readers, skillful researchers and ethical users of information as well as instill a love of learning in all students and ensure equitable access to information. The incumbent would provide leadership and expertise necessary to ensure that the school library program (SLP) is aligned with the mission, goals, and objectives of the school as per MOEHE standards and collaborate with classroom teachers and specialists as necessary.
ISP Principles
Begin with our children and students. Our children and students are at the heart of what we do. Simply, their success is our success. Wellbeing and safety are both essential for learners and learning. Therefore, we are consistent in identifying potential safeguarding and Health & Safety issues and acting and following up on all concerns appropriately.
Treat everyone with care and respect. We look after one another, embrace similarities and differences and promote the well-being of self and others.
Operate effectively. We focus relentlessly on the things that are most important and will make the most difference. We apply school policies and procedures and embody the shared ideas of our community.
Are financially responsible. We make financial choices carefully based on the needs of the children, students and our schools.
Learn continuously. Getting better is what drives us. We positively engage with personal and professional development and school improvement.
ISP Librarian Key Responsibilities
- Play an active role in school's advancement and accreditation activities with a view of fulfilling the mission statement of the school
- Create an environment that is targeted towards active and participatory learning, resource-based instructional practices, and collaboration with teaching staff to meet the school's overall goal
- Participate in developing and updating district policies concerning issues like material selection, circulation, reconsideration of materials, copyright, privacy, and acceptable use
- Encourage the use of modern teaching technology to commit students and to improve learning, providing all day access to digital information resources for the entire learning community, therefore meeting with global update
- Ensure active membership of professional associations for local and international integration
- Remain current and updated on professional practices and developments, information technologies, and educational research, pertinent to school library programs
- Write lucid prosaic articles and submit regular reports providing evidence of what the library and school librarian do to prepare learners to be successful in the twenty-first century
- Keep and file historical records and documents relating to the existence of the library
- Protect and keep the library's information, books, and other materials
- Make necessary books and materials available to students and other people who have come for research and under supervision.
Information Literacy
- Ensures that the library plays an integral role in supporting inquiry, and that students have easy access to eResources.
- Collaborates with teachers to develop information literacy across the school through participating in or leading information literacy and digital literacy coaching.
- Work closely with teaching staff to plan and deliver the information skills curriculum
- Coordinates school-wide guidance and training for all staff and students in effective use of resources, online catalogue and database
- Develops a collection that has relevant resources in a variety of formats to support inquiry learning
Library Management
- Ensure that resources are catalogued, organised and maintained in line with accepted standard library practice.
- Stay aware of developing trends and facilities for storage and access to eResources
- Develops a buying plan and strategies that ensure the library delivers appropriate, high quality materialprint and online
- Manages the Integrated Library System effectively by updating and editing of bibliographic and catalogue data on the system
- Promotes the library services and resources to all staff and students
- Maintains up-to-date school library procedures documents
- Work with teaching staff to take a strategic approach to cultivating a love of reading in children
- Develops and contribute to the school wide reading culture through reading programmes, initiatives and events.
- Provides leadership and support to teachers on reading engagement and developing life-long readers.
- Provides a wide range of quality reading material, catering for diverse needs and interests
- Performs all service point routines related to the circulation of stock e.g. book issues, book returns, reservations and maintains records of over dues, lost books and fines
- Monitors student use of the library and library equipment as set out in the library policy document
- Ensures the safety at all times of students and academic staff whilst in the library
- Assists in the preparation of display boards/bulletins and scheduled library events
- Prepare financial estimates for the school library and manage the budget by selecting, acquiring, maintaining and withdrawing library stock, ensuring a balance between subject and ability levels and show an active engagement in diversity and equality issues
- The school librarian provides leadership and expertise in the selection, acquisition, evaluation, and organization of information resources and technologies in all formats, as well as expertise in the ethical use of information.
- The school librarian ensures equitable access and responsible use of information
- Ensures that in accordance with School Policy, develops and maintains a collection of resources appropriate to the curriculum, the learners, and the teaching styles and instructional strategies used within the school community
- Sets up cooperating and networking with other libraries, librarians, and agencies to provide access to resources outside the school
- Evaluates, promotes, and uses existing and emerging technologies to support teaching and learning, supplement school resources, connect the school with the global learning community, communicate with students and teachers, and provide 24/7 access to library services
- Understands copyright, fair use, and licensing of intellectual property, and assists users with their understanding and observance of the same
- Organizing the collection for maximum and effective use
Health and Safety
- Emphasizes the importance of safety in all areas of the curriculum, communicating to the pupils the importance of a responsible attitude towards personal safety, the safety of others and respect for The Hamilton International School's property and equipment
- Perform playground duties on time and with due diligence to safeguard Hamilton students
- Take all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities
- Assist in implementing all policies and rules governing student life and conduct
- Ensure that, all the necessary health and safety rules and procedures are being followed
- Maintain an awareness of all the health and safety measures to be taken when in school
Other Duties And Responsibilities
Any other duties that the Principal may from time to time ask the post-holder to perform
Skills, Qualifications And Experience
- Bachelor's Degree in relevant discipline from an accredited institution
- Child Care and Protection
- Minimum 3 years experience as a School Librarian
- Knowledge of maintaining an effective public relations program
- Strong ability to cooperate and network with other libraries, librarians, and agencies to provide access to resources outside the school for mutual development
- Very good time management skills needed to carry out tasks within schedule and accurately
- Strong ability to communicate effectively both verbally and written with all levels of staff in the organization
- Efficient organizational, problem solving skills; ability to multitasks and deliver projects before deadline is reached
- Ability to think strategically, innovatively and creatively, as well as having an eye for detail
- Ability to use library management systems and other ICT software
- Safeguarding and welfare of children
- Excellent communication skills and command of the English language, in spoken and written form
- A collaborative team-player with excellent interpersonal skills.
- Behaviour management
- Ability to involve children to develop a reading habit
- Creative and energetic
- Excellent command of the English language, in spoken and written form
- Willing attitude to be a part of the school team
- Strong sense of professionalism
- Safeguarding and welfare of children
- Engaging interpersonal skills and excellent communication skills
- Ability to respond effectively to the needs of a diverse community
- Proficient computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Excel)
- Excellent organizational skills and ability to prioritize workload
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, in person, telephone and written
- Excellent Customer Service Skills, with the ability to use discretion, patience, tact and respect for confidentiality
- A collaborative team-player with excellent personal skills
- Behavior management
- Willingness to undertake appropriate Professional Development
Language
- English is mandatory
- Arabic is an advantage
PersonalAttributes
- Collaborative team player, empathetic listener
- Emotional intelligence
- Kind, considerate and welcoming
- Integrity, professionalism and confidentiality
- Internationally minded
- Sound judgement and emotional intelligence
- Intercultural awareness, creative
- Flexible and a can-do attitude
- Driven by wanting to improve quality and develop the school
- Reliable with an attention to detail and a commitment to quality
- An innovator with a willingness to embrace change
ISP Commitment to Safeguarding Principles
ISP is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
All post holders are subject to appropriate vetting procedures, including an online due diligence search, references and satisfactory Criminal Background Checks or equivalent covering the previous 10 years employment history.
ISP Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
ISP is committed to strengthening our inclusive culture by identifying, hiring, developing, and retaining high-performing teammates regardless of gender, age, disability status, neurodivergence, socio-economic background or other demographic characteristics. Candidates who share our vision and principles and are interested in contributing to the success of ISP through this role are strongly encouraged to apply.