Librarian/Resource Centre Manager

Transcription

1 Librarian/Resource Centre Manager Information for Applicants February 2014

2 Librarian/Resource Centre Manager Introduction Thank you for your interest in this post which has arisen due to the retirement of the current Librarian, Elaine Bate. Ms Bate has done superb work in creating a stimulating environment and the library is very popular with students. The Librarian is part of the support staff at Farlingaye High School. We consist of hard working and friendly individuals who support the work of the school. We work well together as a team, supporting each other through our job roles. Farlingaye is a thriving school of over 1900 students. We are passionate about learning and student achievement and the support staff play an integral role in the process of improving standards. We have Maths, Computing and Creative Arts specialist status, as well as Leading Edge status, which enhance the opportunities that can be offered to both staff and students. We are looking for a new member of staff who is committed to supporting the work of the school as well as being calm, flexible and organised. If you feel that Farlingaye is a school where you could make a contribution, we will be delighted to receive your application. Please do not hesitate to contact me to talk about the post further. Gail Hicks Personnel Officer

3 FARLINGAYE HIGH SCHOOL Maths, Computing and Creative Arts College LIBRARY & RESOURCE CENTRE Accommodation, Facilities and Resources The Library is situated on the ground floor in the Learning Resource Centre building, which has superb facilities. Currently the library has standard shelving, a study area and more relaxed seating for reading newspapers and magazines. There is an ICT section where students can use the PCs. The Library acts not only as a lending library but as an information retrieval service. The Library has a book stock of some 9,000 items, approximately one third of which are fiction. The non-fiction stock supports the curriculum and also caters for a wide range of leisure interests and general information. Older material is weeded out and new titles purchased so that the books contain the latest information available. Non-fiction materials are classified using the Dewey Decimal Classification system and fiction is shelved alphabetically. The library catalogue uses the Eclipse.net hosted system which uses fingerprint recognition for student loans. Two daily national newspapers and two local papers are taken on every working day and the periodicals collection includes weekly, monthly and termly journals to support studies. Students in the Library have access to thirty PCs at present. All of the PCs have Internet access and printer facilities are available. Students can also borrow laptops from the library to use at home. Twenty laptops are available in the library for 6 th formers to use during their study periods and we hope to have some i-pads shortly. Students are encouraged to develop independent learning skills and the Library plays a key part in this. The Farlingaye librarian is seen as a pro-active member of staff who is constantly looking to support and develop the work of the whole school. Active links with all faculty areas are needed to ensure the continued development of the students. The school has a strong belief that the quality of display can improve learning and create a welcoming ambience in all areas. In the Library and Resource Centre we aim to reflect, in the quality of display, focus on relevant issues and topics, external visitors to the centre and the integration of other faculties work, e.g Art displays. Our current Librarian, Elaine Bate, has done some excellent displays to encourage students to use the library as well as support the curriculum. She has invited in a range of authors/speakers, organised 4 annual competitions, runs a book group (which shadows the Carnegie Medal) and a writing group, involves the students in the County Book Mastermind competition and joins with other local schools for a Battle of the Books. She

4 has made the library an area that is focused and reflects both a love of reading and the desire to support learning. The Library is open both before and after school so that students may work quietly. It is well used by Sixth Formers throughout the day as well as visits from individual classes. The Librarian s hours are from with 36 minutes for lunch (37 hours per week), 41 weeks per year. There is also a clerical assistant who helps to cover some lunchbreaks. THE POST POST: GRADE: HOURS: REPORTS TO: Librarian/Resource Centre Manager 4 (unqualified), 5 (Chartered Librarian with relevant experience) 37 hours per week, 41 weeks per year Deputy Head, Curriculum OBJECTIVE OF THE POST: The organisation and provision of learning resources in the school and participation with senior colleagues in the planning and implementation of school developments in relation to the School Resource and Information Centre. MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 1. Oversee daily organisation and management of the library. This includes managing effective stock control to ensure the monitoring and control of the issue of resources including laptops, supervision of Internet access. 2. Plan and manage the provision, organisation and supervision of the School Resource and Information Centre, including setting targets and objects, and monitoring achievements. Consultation with senior management within the school regarding the educational aims and philosophy of the school as reflected in the School Resource and Information Centre. 3. Work, both formally and informally, with teaching and senior management colleagues to ensure that the School Resource and Information Centre supports the resource and skills development needs of the curriculum. Contribute to the development of the curriculum through team, faculty and departmental discussions and informal liaison with individual teachers. Advise on the availability of resources to support the curriculum.

5 4. In consultation with teaching colleagues, senior management, students and governors, to produce and implement a School Resource and Information Centre Improvement Plan linked to the School Improvement Plan and to evaluate its development. 5. Select and acquire learning resources to meet the needs of both staff and students, through purchase or loan whichever is most appropriate. Ensure purchases are within budget and report back on expenditure. 6. Organise resources for effective retrieval, including use of an automated library management system, indexing and classification of all learning resources. 7. Seek out and promote: learning materials appropriate to the whole curriculum; staff development material; background information on various aspects of the curriculum. 8. Organise, direct and participate in appropriate training courses. 9. Formulate, develop and monitor, in consultation with teaching colleagues, learning skills programmes to fulfil the requirements of the National Curriculum. 10. Establish a working environment in which students can quietly and efficiently learn and practice techniques in enquiry and research. 11. Foster and develop the reading habit in students and encourage reading for leisure as well as information. 12. Establish, maintain and develop links with the school s wider community and appropriate support agencies. 13. Provide an open, welcoming environment to encourage maximum use of the School Resource and Information Centre and its facilities. 14. Recruit, train and supervise clerical assistance, and student librarians as appropriate. 15. Assist students in using Information Technology, including the Internet, where appropriate and monitor such use within the School Resource and Information Centre. 16. Work with the teacher in charge of Careers and the Careers Advisor to organise and monitor the Careers section of the School Resource and Information Centre.

6 17. Develop and maintain effective links with other agencies e.g. Schools Library Service to maximise resources available to the school. PERSON SPECIFICATION Knowledge Criteria Essential to basic GRADE 4 Required for fully competent GRADE 5 Technical or specialist Willingness to undertake appropriate training to become chartered Chartered Librarian with post-qualification experience Able to advise on Health & Safety matters Experience of working in a library Knowledge of book classification and school cataloguing systems Knowledge of relevant computer software Knowledge of National Curriculum and other educational strategies Good knowledge of IT and use of the internet Literacy and numeracy Ability to monitor budget and report on expenditure Ability to prepare a range of financial reports for head teacher and school s governing body Good literacy required to ensure that maximum use is made of library resources by the school Ability to identify and bid for additional resources and funding Understanding of a range of organisational and financial procedures and the ability to disseminate to

7 Criteria Essential to basic GRADE 4 Required for fully competent GRADE 5 other staff Organisational Awareness of purpose and work of Schools Library Service Knowledge of school policy and procedures Understanding of and support for school ethos Mental Skills: Research Able to research and prepare information for teachers on a variety of topics for project work Able to analyse, monitor and evaluate, advise and make recommendations on library resources to support curriculum delivery and development. Problem solving Ability to resolve varied problems and undertake short term planning activities within the library Thinking creatively / Developing new ideas Ability to identify resources to support curriculum development, under the direction of the teacher Able to contribute to curriculum development, using professional library related skills and expertise

8 Criteria Essential to basic Interpersonal & Communications Skills: Required for fully competent Advising / guiding skills Advice to pupils on library facilities Able to negotiate with other users for library time use Able to supervise pupils whilst they use the library Verbal and written communications skills (including use of languages) Able to communicate a variety of information with a varied audience Able to manage and direct pupils and helpers Able to produce reports for head teacher/governing body Able to develop and implement library policies and procedures that meet the needs of the school and conform to professional standards Physical skills: Keyboard skills / use of mouse Keyboard skills and use of mouse Able to travel to INSET and Library Service meetings Other manual skills Ability to handle books, often in quantities, and to be able to stretch and bend to select and shelve books as necessary Other attributes: Able to mount display work Level of autonomy Post holders at this level will have considerable autonomy and will be expected to support teachers in curriculum delivery Line manager is likely only to be available for issues of policy Post holders will be expected to have an active and lead role in relation to library service s contribution to

9 Criteria APPLICATION PROCESS Essential to basic Required for fully competent curriculum delivery and school improvement If you are interested in this post, please return your application form to the school as soon as possible but before noon on 18 March You should also include a written letter of application to the Headteacher. If you require any further information, please contact Gail Hicks, Personnel Officer, at the school. We welcome applications regardless of age, gender, ethnicity or religion. The successful candidate will have to meet the requirements of the person specification in order to be offered the post and will be subject to an enhanced DBS check. CHILD PROTECTION POLICY At all times the Headteacher and governing body will ensure that safe recruitment practices are followed. At Farlingaye High School we require evidence of identity and original academic certificates. We do not accept testimonials and insist on taking up references prior to interview. We will question the contents of application forms if we are unclear about them, we will undertake enhanced Criminal Records Bureau checks and use any other means of ensuring we are recruiting and selecting the most suitable people to work with our children. INTERVIEW PROCESS The purpose of the interview is to assess your suitability for the above post and give both the panel and yourself an opportunity to gain further information before making a successful appointment. It is also an opportunity to seek clarification on information which you have provided on the application form and accompanying information. The interview will assess your suitability to work with children and will include questions relating to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Please note that current or previous employers will be contacted as part of the verification process. We require two work-related referees to be listed on your application form and we will contact those referees before shortlisting.