Librarian / Library Co-ordinator
Responsible to: The Headteacher
Primary purpose: To plan and implement the school's library policy in consultation with the Headteacher, governors and staff, and in conjunction with the overall School Development Plan.
The postholder will:
1. Support the school by
¨ Managing, maintaining and promoting the school library and teacher resources
2. Support the teaching staff by
¨ Identifying and buying quality resources for the school library and classroom libraries to deliver the National Curriculum and primary strategies and support equality and diversity issues
¨ Assisting in the delivery of information skills and information literacy teaching in the school
¨ Selecting resources from the Schools Library Services.
3. Support children’s learning by
¨ Promoting enjoyment of, and excitement about reading to all children
¨ Establishing skills for independent learning
Duties and responsibilities
- Develop and promote the role of the library in the school with an active engagement in diversity and equality issues
- Work closely with teaching staff to plan and deliver the information skills curriculum
- Promote the effective and efficient use of the library and library resources
- Work with teaching staff to take a strategic approach to cultivating a love of reading in children
- Develop links with secondary schools to facilitate transition and a coherent approach to library skills
- Manage the school library and library resources throughout the school:
- Select, acquire, maintain and withdraw library stock, ensuring a balance between subject and ability levels and show an active engagement in diversity and equality issues
- Organise, catalogue and classify library resources, both electronic and print-based
- Prepare financial estimates for the school library and manage the budget
- Supervise and train staff, parents, volunteers and pupil librarians working in the library
- Make full use of ICT in the library and manage the library room on the school's VLE
- Make full use of the Schools Library Service and other sources of information and support
- Make the library attractive and accessible to all children and staff, including displays, guiding and publicity materials
- Keep the headteacher, school governors and parents informed about the needs and development of the library and information service in the school
Person Specification
Knowledge
- Knowledge of children's literature and children's resources to support the curriculum
- Knowledge and understanding of library and information skills
- Knowledge and understanding of teaching and learning, of educational issues and the National Curriculum as they relate to the provision of learning resources
- Knowledge of and commitment to equalities and diversity issues in the provision of library services
- Knowledge of how ICT can be used to support reading development
- Awareness of child development and the role of reading in the educational development of the child
Qualifications & Experience
- Substantial library experience, with experience of working with schools or with children
- Experience of developing and delivering training sessions
Skills
- Ability and courage to innovate
- Ability to think strategically and creatively, as well as having an eye for detail
- Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, and the ability to adapt to very different audiences
- Ability to use library management systems and other ICT software
- Ability to assume responsibility for your own work, devise your own work schedule and set appropriate targets and achieve them
Other
- A satisfactory attendance record (normally less than 5 days in a year) but taking into account individual circumstances.
- A CRB enhanced disclosure
