Library Assistant at International School of Tanganyika | May 2024

Library Assistant Job Opportunity at International School of Tanganyika

International School of Tanganyika (IST)

Title: Library Assistant

Category: (cf Policy 5.101)

Administrative Assistance and Technical Support

Reports to: Secondary School Principal Department: Secondary School

Job Holder Start date: 01 August 2024

IST Mission

Challenging, inspiring, and supporting all our students to fulfil their potential and improve the world

IST Vision

IST will be a global leader in the education of internationally-mobile young people.

All students, regardless of their starting point, will think critically, achieve academically, and develop the wisdom to make good choices. They will show curiosity and creativity in addressing authentic problems, local and global.

All members of the IST community will work together to fulfil this vision.

Statement of Values

All members of the IST community are:

Responsible – We act responsibly, positively, and constructively towards ourselves and other people. We learn from our mistakes and accept the consequences of our actions.
Inquiring – We show curiosity, perseverance, and open-mindedness in seeking to understand and solve problems. We persevere in the face of difficulties and we embrace the learning that comes through failure as well as the joy of success.
Compassionate – We empathise with others and act with care, kindness, and courage. In our interactions, we behave with patience, generosity, and integrity.
Balanced – We believe in a broad education for our students, seeing the value of participation in a varied curriculum.
Diverse – We treasure the diversity within the IST community, using the rich opportunities for a deeper understanding that comes from our differences.

IST Strategic Plan

Our Strategic Plan is in place to help our community align efforts to better reach our schoolʼs mission, vision, and values. This plan is focused on three aims.

Personalised Learning:

The written, taught, and assessed curriculum is designed to meet the needs of all learners.
Create and implement the technology plan to ensure that future developments in media and information technology address the long-term needs of the school.
Professional learning opportunities are designed to have a positive impact on student learning. (d) Ensure IST is recognised globally as an exemplary IB World School.
(e) Continued development of ISTʼs inclusion programs to support personalised experiences for all learners.

Engaged Community:

Build and sustain a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment for all members of the school community.
Continued development of partnerships with local and global individuals, organisations, and alumni to enhance student learning.
Develop and review processes and systems to enhance communication within the IST community.
Ensured Sustainability:
Continued review and implementation of master site plan – with a focus on inclusion and access as well as facilities to support innovative programs
Review procedures to retain and recruit employees who are aligned with our strategic plan.
Improve ISTʼs ability to work more sustainably and align environmental frameworks to improve our educational experiences and operations.
Enhance processes for creating, auditing, and reviewing IST policy and procedure documents.

Summary of the Role

The Assistant School Librarian supports the School Librarian in enhancing and maintaining the library to ensure an effective and accessible service to students and staff. This role contributes to the educational and information needs of the school community, fostering an environment conducive to learning and growth.

Preferred Qualifications and Experience

Experience: 5+ years experience working in a library;
A Bachelor’s Degree in Library and Information Management.

Professional Competencies:

Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work in a multicultural environment
Excellent communication skills in both spoken and written English
Ability to self-manage; work independently in an organised manner
Sound decision-making, solutions-focused, knowledge of child protection and health and safety
Digitally literate in computer so ware applications – including Google Suite, Apple apps, Microso Office, and use of online resources
Experience collaborating in a high-functioning team environment (g) Skilled at building strong relationships with diverse stakeholders.

Personal Attributes:

Collaborative team player, empathetic listener
Integrity and confidentiality
Strategic thinker, able to convert vision into action
Internationally minded with an intercultural awareness of the diverse needs of the IST community
Ability to apply critical and creative thinking skills to the workplace
Flexible and capable of managing growth and instilling high standards
Desire to continually grow professionally
Interest in reading and literacy and love of literature

Responsibilities:

Assisting Patrons: Provide welcoming, customer-focused support, guidance, and referral to help patrons locate materials, navigate the library catalogue, and answer inquiries about library services and resources.
Checking In/Out Materials: Handle circulation duties, providing efficient and friendly service to patrons.
Library System Management: Manage the library catalog including the cataloging of new books, updating patron records, correcting and editing records within the system, and conducting the annual inventory.
Shelving and Organizing: Ensure materials are shelved correctly according to the library’s classification system, maintain order in the library stacks, and regularly shelf-read to ensure items are in proper order.
Reader’s Advisory: Demonstrate an interest in reading, a curiosity for the collection, and awareness of popular literature and authors so personalized reading recommendations for patrons can be made.
Library Outreach: Assist with outreach efforts to promote library services and programs, including creating displays and other promotional materials.
Administrative Tasks: Perform various administrative duties as needed, such as processing new books, repairing damaged books, processing parent applications, managing holds, assisting with interlibrary loan requests, coordinating the booking systems for library events, and managing local newspaper subscriptions.
Discipline and Behavior Management: Assist in enforcing library rules and policies to ensure a safe, respectful, and conducive learning environment for all library users.
Maintaining Library Spaces: Help maintain the cleanliness and organisation of library spaces, including shelving areas, study rooms, and reading areas, to provide a welcoming, dynamic, and attractive environment for patrons: report repairs and technical issues to the helpdesk.
Professional Development: Stay informed about current trends and best practices in library services and information literacy, and participate in ongoing training and professional development opportunities to develop library and technology skills.
Work alternate Saturdays from 9:00-1:00
Perform other duties as assigned by the Secondary School Principal.

How to Apply:

Applications and enquiries should be directed to: facultyrecruitment@istafrica.com