Librarian Chishawasha Childrens Home, Zambia

School Librarian

Position Description

Chishawasha Children’s Home of Zambia seeks to recruit a School Librarian to be based in Lusaka. He/she will be expected to take a highly creative and active role in the management, development and promotion of the wide range of services in addition to the day-to-day administration. He/she will work closely with teachers to ensure the library contributes effectively to the delivery of the curriculum and support pupils to develop skills necessary to make effective use of resources.

The School Librarian will be required to keep abreast of new developments in the provision of a school library resource service and developments in the use of ICT. He/she will also be required to manage the library budget/resources effectively and have a high degree of organisational skills.

Reporting

The School Librarian will report to the Headteacher.

ToR for School Librarian

• To ensure that the library is tidy with all fiction, non-fiction and reference sequences in order and that all returned books are shelved.
• Work with teachers to champion reading and develop strategies to help struggling readers.
• To be responsible for the supervision and management of the behaviour of students and to have responsibility for student health and safety in the Library
• To be creative and imaginative in the displays of books, posters and other materials, to encourage reading and book borrowing.
• To monitor pupils’ reading activity and habits and accurately record achievement / rewards.
• To encourage and enable all library users to develop their love of reading.
• To encourage pupils and staff in using the library through supporting a range of library-based activities, including pupils from Pre- School to Upper Primary.
• To introduce and maintain library clerical procedures to keep a proper inventory of all library and reading schemes materials.
• To keep abreast of all librarianship developments, particularly in educational fields, by attending seminars and workshops, visiting other institutions and reading the relevant literature and publications.
• Solutions-oriented resiliency to respond positively and effectively to challenges.
• Draw upon different sources to make reading fiction and nonfiction more enjoyable for students.
• To encourage the active participation of teachers and students in accessing all the facilities and resources available.
• To assist in developing, implementing and maintaining a policy for the management and use of the library resource centre as a resource which supports learning and teaching in the school.
• To monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the service provided by the library resource centre and implement changes where necessary.
• Researching and purchase new texts to keep the library current and reading material exciting.
• To supervise the loan and return of materials to staff and pupils.
• To buy the day’s newspapers.
• To maintain cumulative records of library stock and issues and send out overdue notices
• To arrange monthly displays, relating to fiction and non-fiction materials.
• To order new library stock as required and process new library stock.
• To withdraw stock which is of no further use to the library.
• To produce termly reports to School Director on library stock and developmental needs in relation to the librarian’s role in supporting the school and its pupils.
• Any other duties commensurate with the post as directed by the Headteacher

Rjequirements

• A full Grade 12 certificate
• Diploma/ Degree in Library Studies
• Three years hands-on experience in managing a school library.
• At least 25 years old
• Experience of working with databases and digital resources.
• Ability to develop a positive relationship with all library users.
• Confident IT skills including Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Good communication and organisational skills.
• A positive mindset and a drive for personal excellence.
• Excellent knowledge of a wide range of literature for children.