Librarian - Joining date 30 June 2024

at  Aspen Heights British School

DESCRIPTION

Job Description
Position Details
Position Title
Librarian
Department
Administration
Report to (Title):
Direct Reports:
Indirect Reports:
Aspen Heights British School (AHBS) is a truly inclusive school based on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi. We are proud of our inclusive ethos and our commitment to ensuring all children are provided with personalised learning experiences and the proper support to ensure they can make progress in learning in all areas.
Core Purpose:
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 ADEK standards and collaborate with classroom teachers and specialists as necessary.
Main Responsibilities:

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 material—print 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 Aspen Heights British School’s property and equipment
• Perform all playground duties on time and with due diligence to safeguard Aspen 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

Communication & Working Relationships
Internal
Staff
Students
External
Parents
Vendors
Knowledge & Skills
Minimum Educational Qualifications Required for the Role
Bachelor’s in relevant discipline
Minimum Years of Experience Required
3 years’ experience as a school librarian
Language Skills
English is mandatory
Arabic is an advantage
Special Skills and Abilities

Competencies:

• 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

Attributes:

• 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

Whilst every effort has been made to explain the main duties and responsibilities of the post, each individual task undertaken may not be identified.
Employees will be expected to comply with any reasonable request from a manager to undertake work of a similar level that is not specified in this job description.
Employees are expected to be courteous to colleagues and provide a welcoming environment to visitors and telephone callers.
Approvals
Line Manager:
Principal:
Employee:
HR:
The International Schools Partnership
Aspen Heights British School is part of The International Schools Partnership (ISP).
The International Schools Partnership (ISP) is a growing group of committed colleagues in financially responsible schools around the world, all of which aim to be the school of choice in their local area. Learning is at the heart of everything we do for our pupils, colleagues and parents. We are committed to getting better, all the time.
ISP was founded by an experienced team of committed educationalists and commercial operators who have worked together over many years. Our growing group of private schools located in the UK, the USA, Europe, Costa Rica, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Malaysia, Mexico and Peru educate children and pupils from 2-18 years of age. We have now expanded to 45 schools delivering multiple curricula and building on local brands and reputations with around 45,000 pupils and 7,000 staff located across the globe.
We believe that successful schools are the ones that put learning at the heart of everything they do, always aiming to create rounded individuals that are able to forge successful careers and lives in a rapidly changing world. Our goal is to enable our schools as the leading school of choice in their local area. We are a truly international group working in different cultures and speaking different languages. We work across countries and cultures, too, by working with each other and with other schools and communities. At ISP we continue to engage with schools around the world who are interested in becoming part of our global group of schools and look forward to welcoming more pupils and staff to the group.

All our schools:

• Help children and pupils learn to levels that amaze them.
• Inspire children and pupils to be successful now and equip them to be successful later.
• Are truly international, working in partnerships within and across regions, cultures and languages.
• Aim to be the schools of choice for children, pupils and their families, wherever we are.

Aspen Heights British School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All shortlisted candidates and post holders are subject to appropriate International Criminal and Child Protection Background Checks or equivalent, covering the previous 10 years of employment history. Aspen Heights British School recruit teachers in several ways including direct application to the school and through international teacher recruitment agencies and organizations.
Human Resources Office
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Job Description
Version date: February 2021

Please refer the Job description for details