Head of Library

Role Overview

This is an exciting time in the future of Libraries at Francis Holland Sloane Square, as FHS Prep has located to a new site at Manresa Road. The Head of Library will play a pivotal role in the strategic development and expansion of a culture of research within the school. This will centre around ensuring that the library is a dynamic space, where students embark on intellectual journeys guided by a skilled librarian who will foster innovation, curiosity, and critical thinking among students of all ages.

Our expectations are:

• Promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young people for who you are responsible and with whom you come into contact.
• To implement and develop the School Library Policy, in accordance with the School Development Plan, that ensures the safeguarding of students using the Library.
• Advising the Head and Governing Body on all aspects of strategic leadership of the school’s library provision.
• Work closely with the librarians at Francis Holland Prep, and other schools in the Trust, to share best practice and dovetail strategic development plans.
• Actively promoting reading to all pupils, teachers, and staff.
• Leading on embedding research skills throughout the school ensuring that academic integrity is developed and integrated into teaching and learning. This will involve working with teachers, teaching workshops on research skills, critical thinking, and use of resources.
• Supporting teachers supervising and pupils researching project qualifications, as well as ensuring development of pupils independent study skills.
• Stock selection and purchase of books and materials for the library in all appropriate formats in consultation with various Heads of Departments and teaching staff.
• Management and organisation of the library including processing, classifying and cataloguing books.
• Managing the library budget: including funds allocated for the purchase of library materials, equipment and furniture and the development of information services from school funds and other sources.
• Reviewing and monitoring of stock.
• Shelving, tidying, and repairing books as needed throughout the day.
• Supervision of library, maintaining an effective learning atmosphere for study and reading, including prep club.
• General library duties including producing updated reading lists and creating book displays.
• Helping students to locate and retrieve information and advising them on choice of leisure reading.
• To supervise and oversee study in the library including timetabling, general discipline, and induction into the use of the library’s facilities.
• To develop, in consultation with teaching staff, the provision of information services using appropriate technology to support the curriculum and individual information needs.
• Manage author visits, speakers and events such as World Book Day, to promote literacy and inspire students.
• To establish, develop and maintain co-operative links and networks with other Library professionals.
• Manage the recruitment of student librarians, including devising a student librarian rota and ensuring that they are fully trained to carry out their duties correctly and appropriately.
• Leading extracurricular book related clubs and activities as part of the enrichment curriculum.
• Devote energy and enthusiasm to the school archives through cataloguing, sorting, scanning, arranging, and displaying the records and artefacts.
• To develop the library/literacy area on SharePoint, to promote reading, critical thinking, and research.
• To edit the school magazine.

Person Specification

Experience, Education and Qualifications:

• Experience as a Librarian in an academic / school Library environment.
• Experience of delivering lessons / teaching.
• An awareness of children’s welfare and the promotion of their safety and wellbeing – noticing any safeguarding or welfare concerns and understanding how and when to take appropriate action.
• Degree level education in a relevant subject area.
• Appropriate professional accreditations e.g. CILIP Certification/Chartership (Desired).

Skills, Abilities and Attributes:

• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships with a variety of stakeholders.
• Ability to enthuse others about reading, both for knowledge and for pleasure.
• Skills and confidence to be able to instruct groups of young people.
• Self sufficiency and capacity to work independently.
• Meticulous attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple projects/events and plan, organise and determine own workload to meet tight deadlines.
• High level IT skills, with a clear understanding of the potential uses of technology in the Library – including proficiency in electronic and web-based resources, and digital and social media platforms.
• Understanding the standards and practices in digital information management and preservation.
• Ability to manage a budget.
• A passion for books and or the promotion of scholarship and independent learning.
• A lively, proactive approach, and a keen interest in inspiring and motivating young people and an ability and willingness to support colleagues.

Application

Interested candidates are invited to submit an application via My New Term. The closing date for applications is 8:00am Wednesday 27th August . Long-list interviews will take place on Teams on 1st and 2nd of September . Shortlist interviews will take place in person on 5th of September . The school reserves the right to appoint at any stage.

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