Librarian - Immediate Start

Teaching Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates


Description

Position at Aspen Heights British School

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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 ADEK standards and collaborate with classroom teachers and specialists as necessary.

 

About the School:

Aspen Heights British School (AHBS) is an ambitious and high achieving British International School on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi. Families choose our school because we focus on 3 core aims:

 

        Positive relationships and respectful communication are the building blocks of our school.

        Purposeful, engaging and meaningful learning is at the heart of our work.

        We support all children to make remarkable progress by personalising their learning opportunities. 

 

Staff choose our school because we are committed to staff development, growth and retention. As a growing school we have many opportunities for staff professional development. Aspen colleagues feel a high degree of professional satisfaction as they are empowered to impact on the improvement and development of our school, and as a result staff retention is high.

 

We are delighted you are considering a position in our supportive, hardworking team.

 

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.

 

Librarian Key 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

 

Skills, Qualifications and Experience

        Bachelor degree in Library Science or equivalent

        3 years’ school experience

        English is mandatory. Arabic is an advantage

 

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

 

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.