School Librarian

Role objective:

As an academic librarian, you'll manage, organize, evaluate and disseminate information, providing support to members of an academic community including students, researchers and lecturing staff.

You may be responsible for a specific academic subject, developing specialist knowledge and completing other functions such as:

- cataloging and classification

- resource ordering

- loans

- specialist collections

- IT systems, open access and e-resources

- library projects.

Your role also involves supporting students and staff to develop the skills needed for effective research. This includes teaching skills, either in classrooms or virtual learning environments, in areas such as:

- copyright law

- information literacy

- literature searching

- referencing.

Responsibilities:

- Develop and manage collections of books, journals (both paper and electronic) and websites

- Select, acquire, and catalogue information using library and information software

- Create, update, and manage electronic and printed information resources

- Coordinate and deliver information and digital literacy sessions to students, teachers, and staff

- Contribute to academic course development and liaise with academic departments

- Assist researchers with literature searches using databases, printed resources, and the internet

- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with academic staff and students, as well as external bodies such as suppliers

- Manage and support the provision of reading lists and allocate the length of loans

- Take on responsibility, in some cases, for archives and other special collections

- Deal with user inquiries, which may involve one-on-one advice sessions

- Manage budgets in relation to your allocated subject areas/departments and, in some cases, purchase resources

- Keep up to date with developments in the library sector and participate in professional groups or networks.

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in librarianship or information science/management/ education, and at least two or more years of relevant experience you have.

Skills:

- Customer Service and interpersonal skills

- IT skills

- Communication and presentation skills

- Research skills

- A Flexible approach to work

- Negotiation and problem-solving skills

- The ability to work as part of a team but also on your own initiative

- Capability to prioritize your work and meet deadlines

- The ability to think logically

- Organizational and self-management skills

- An appreciation of the pressures and demands within the academic work environment