Librarian (Secondary School)

Role Overview

Librarian (Secondary School) with International Schools Partnership. This role is based at a secondary school within the ISP network.

Role Purpose

To lead the school library as a dynamic hub for learning, supporting inquiry-based education, fostering reading literacy, and providing equitable access to information resources and technologies that enhance teaching and learning across the school community.

Key Responsibilities

School Advancement and Strategic Leadership

• Play an active role in the school's advancement and accreditation activities aligned with the school's mission statement.
• Remain current and updated on professional practices, developments, information technologies, and educational research pertinent to school library programs.
• Ensure active membership of professional associations for local and international integration.
• Set up cooperation and networking with other libraries, librarians, and agencies to provide access to resources outside the school.

Promoting Reading and Information Literacy

• Lead reading lessons across all Key Stage 3 (KS3) classes, supporting weaker readers to make more progress.
• Work closely with teaching staff to plan and deliver the information curriculum through the accelerated reader scheme.
• Manage the accelerated reading program including the assessment of student reading.
• Provide regular reports to class teachers of students' reading progress.
• Support students across any key stage with study skills and independent learning.
• Work with teaching staff to take a strategic approach to cultivating a love of reading in children.
• Develop and contribute to school-wide reading culture through reading programmes, initiatives and events.
• Provide leadership and support to teachers on reading engagement and developing life-long readers.
• Ensure that the library plays an integral role in supporting inquiry, and that students have easy access to eResources.

Library Management and Operations

• Ensure that resources are catalogued, organised and maintained in line with accepted standard library practice.
• Manage the Integrated Library System effectively by updating and editing bibliographic and catalogue data on the system.
• Develop a buying plan and strategies that ensure the library delivers appropriate, high-quality material in print and online formats.
• Prepare financial estimates for the school library and manage the budget by selecting, acquiring, maintaining and withdrawing library stock.
• Ensure a balance between subject and ability levels and show active engagement in diversity and equality issues.
• Perform all service point routines related to the circulation of stock, including book issues, book returns, reservations, and maintenance of records of overdues, lost books and fines.
• Monitor student use of the library and library equipment as set out in the library policy document.
• Develop a collection with relevant resources in a variety of formats to support inquiry learning.
• Provide a wide range of quality reading material, catering for diverse needs and interests.
• Stay aware of developing trends and facilities for storage and access to eResources.
• Maintain up-to-date school library procedures documents.
• Organize the collection for maximum and effective use.
• Protect and keep the library's information, books, and other materials.
• Keep and file historical records and documents relating to the existence of the library.

Stakeholder Engagement and Communication

• Create an environment targeted towards active and participatory learning, resource-based instructional practices, and collaboration with teaching staff to meet the school's overall goal.
• Coordinate school-wide guidance and training for all staff and students in effective use of resources, online catalogue and database.
• Promote the library services and resources to all staff and students.
• Assist in the preparation of display boards, bulletins and scheduled library events.
• Make necessary books and materials available to students and other people who have come for research and under supervision.

Information Resources and Technology

• Encourage the use of modern teaching technology to engage students and improve learning, providing all-day access to digital information resources for the entire learning community in line with global updates.
• Manage the school subscriptions for online digital learning resources.
• Evaluate, promote, and use 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.
• Develop and maintain a collection of resources appropriate to the curriculum, the learners, and the teaching styles and instructional strategies used within the school community in accordance with school policy.

Copyright, Intellectual Property and Ethics

• Understand copyright, fair use, and licensing of intellectual property, and assist users with their understanding and observance of the same.
• Provide 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.
• Ensure equitable access and responsible use of information.

Class Teaching and Student Supervision

• Supervise KS3 library lessons and manage classes independently when required, ensuring appropriate student behaviour, engagement, and adherence to school policies in the absence of a classroom teacher.

Health and Safety

• Emphasize the importance of safety in all areas of the curriculum, communicating to pupils the importance of a responsible attitude towards personal safety, the safety of others and respect for school property and equipment.
• Perform all playground duties on time and with due diligence to safeguard 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 necessary health and safety rules and procedures are being followed.
• Maintain an awareness of all health and safety measures to be taken when in school.
• Ensure the safety at all times of students and academic staff whilst in the library.

Policy Development and Compliance

• Participate in developing and updating district policies concerning issues such as material selection, circulation, reconsideration of materials, copyright, privacy, and acceptable use.

Qualifications & Experience

The source does not specify required qualifications or years of experience.

Skills & Competencies

The source does not detail specific technical skills or competencies required.

Additional Information

ISP Principles

International Schools Partnership is committed to child-centered education where the success of children and students is paramount. Wellbeing and safety are essential for learners and learning. ISP is consistent in identifying potential safeguarding and Health & Safety issues and acting and following up on all concerns appropriately.

The organisation treats everyone with care and respect, looks after one another, embraces similarities and differences, and promotes the well-being of self and others.

ISP operates effectively by focusing on what is most important and will make the most difference, applying school policies and procedures, and embodying shared community ideas.

ISP is financially responsible, making financial choices carefully based on the needs of children, students and schools.

ISP is committed to continuous learning and improvement through positive engagement with personal and professional development and school improvement.

Safeguarding

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.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging

ISP is committed to strengthening its inclusive culture by identifying, hiring, developing, and retaining high-performing teammates regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender expression, age, disability status, neurodivergence, socio-economic background or other demographic characteristics. Candidates who share ISP's vision and principles and are interested in contributing to the success of ISP through this role are strongly encouraged to apply.