Teacher Librarian - Universal American School - Dubai
Al Futtaim Private Company LLC, United Arab Emirates
Job Description
JOB GOALS
An IB Teacher Librarian acts as a curator of information, caretaker of content and people, catalyst of people and services, and connector to sources of information, multiliteracies, and reading. Responsibilities are inspired by the learning environments students engage with, and in that capacity, the IB Teacher Librarian is a co-creator of information with the teachers, the school and the wider community. The IB Teacher Librarian challenges learners to seek appropriate information, to use sound methods of inquiry and research, and teaches them to question the information they find and use (IBO). Our Teacher Librarian actively supports the school’s mission of being the leading American International school in the region by embracing the school’s vision and values through embodying the 7 domains of the Universal definition of learning (see UAS Teacher Profile) . Our Teacher Librarian focuses on creating a pool of relevant resources for students and faculty to access, looking for ways to promote these resources and engage with and enrich our American AERO and IB continuum programs. Our Teacher Librarian literally transforms the library into an imagination and innovation space by stimulating students’ creative inquiry and innovative and critical thinking.
REPORTS TO: Deputy Director
QUALIFICATION/SKILLS
A relevant degree and appropriate qualifications in librarianship
Minimum two years of experience in library management in an American curriculum school and/or IB school
Experience with Library Management Systems
Effective communicator with ability to provide formative and constructive feedback to inspire deep inquiry
Highly developed internationally-minded, positive interpersonal and collaborative skills
Highly developed administrative, organizational and IT skills
The ability to be flexible, patient, adapt to new situations and innovate learning environments
A positive attitude to students and parents
Proactively support the mission, vision and values of the school
DAILY OPERATION OF THE LIBRARY
Manages and oversee library services including operation, policies and procedures, resources, and facilities
Manages book collection, multimedia, digital research and library budgeting and expenses
Keeps the online directory up to date to help students meet both their academic and recreational needs
Analyzes and evaluate library and information services, technology and media service requirements
Maintains inventories, compile statistics and generate reports as required Guides and supervise students and follows up on overdue materials
Regularly weeds the collection to ensure that resources are current and meet curricular needs
Ensures proper functioning of library equipment
Supervises students using the space
Promotes the school’s academic honesty policy and the ethical use of information
INFORMATION LITERACY & RESEARCH
Provides the leadership and expertise necessary to ensure that the school library program is aligned with the mission, vision and values of UAS and meets the AERO priority standards and the requirements of the IB continuum programs
Collaborates with homeroom teachers and specialists to design and implement effective units of inquiry to support interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary learning
Job Specification
Teacher Librarian 2021
Ensures that the resources and services scaffold appropriately through grades and divisions
Plans and delivers information literacy lessons to Elementary classes
Creates an inquiry-based student centric research environment that sparks students’ curiosity and helps develop their critical thinking and analytical skills
Supports students in brainstorming and other innovative thinking techniques
Collaborates with faculty to tie these skills and activities with relevant IB and American AERO standards and practices to help reinforce information literacy, exploration and research skills across all disciplines
Keeps up-to-date with developments in subject area/s, new research and resources, methods and curriculum objectives
Collaborates with faculty to ensure that the resource collection reflects the IB and American curriculum
Works one-on-one with students to meet their individual information needs
PROMOTES A LOVE OF READING
Provides students with pathfinders for important, relevant print and electronic resources to help ignite their passion for literacy, research, exploration and creation
Reviews and orders new print and digital resources to support creative and critical thinking and a passion for reading
Provides one-on-one reader's advisory services
Runs literature programs to promote reading (book talks, lunch reads, etc.)
PROFESSIONALISM & COLLEGIALITY
Demonstrates genuine tolerance and respect for individual students and colleagues
Works collaboratively
Acts as an active and positive contributor to the entire UAS community
Abides by policies and procedures outlined in the Staff Handbook and as otherwise provided by the school
Lives up to the UAS Teacher Profile standards
Participates in school events, making a substantive and healthy contribution in some aspect of school life outside of the classroom (i.e. after school activities, coaching, lunch clubs)
Actively seeks out peer learning opportunities and uses professional development to enhance the library services
Utilizes the resources and expertise of the local and global community to provide experiential and real-life learning opportunities for students
Attends and participates actively, productively, and enthusiastically in school planning and meetings
Demonstrates a willingness to be a team player, and to participate readily in any other duties, as assigned
NB: Other duties/responsibilities deemed necessary by the school leadership may be added.