Librarian

Job description

The school librarian will create a happy, welcoming, and inspiring library environment where children develop a genuine love of books, reading, inquiry, and discovery.

The successful candidate will be positive, energetic, creative, and highly motivated. They will work closely with classroom teachers to help students develop a love of literacy and ensure that library learning connects meaningfully with students’ units of inquiry.

Key responsibilities

• Manage the daily operation and development of the school library and ensure that all books are maintained in compliance with ADEK/MOE regulations.

• Create a warm, inclusive, colourful, and child-friendly environment.

• Deliver engaging library sessions that promote reading, storytelling, inquiry, and information literacy.

• Encourage students to become enthusiastic, confident, and independent readers.

• Collaborate with teachers to identify resources that support units of inquiry and literacy development.

• Work closely with the Read Like a GEM (RLAG) Coordinator to encourage reading skill development.

• Help students develop age-appropriate research and digital-literacy skills.

• Teach children how to locate, select, use, and care for library resources.

• Recommend books based on students’ ages, reading levels, interests, languages, and individual needs.

• Support multilingual learners and ensure that the collection reflects the diversity of the school community.

• Organise reading challenges, book fairs, author visits, themed events, competitions, and literacy celebrations.

• Develop attractive book displays and regularly promote new and recommended titles.

• Maintain an up-to-date collection of books, e-books, learning resources, and digital materials.

• Manage cataloguing, circulation, purchasing, stocktaking, and the library-management system.

• Build positive relationships with students, parents, teachers, and the wider school community.

• Encourage responsible behaviour and maintain a safe, orderly, and enjoyable library environment.

• Ensure compliance with safeguarding, health and safety, and school policies.

• Participate positively in school events, professional development, and community activities.

Skills description

Qualifications and experience

• A recognised library or teaching qualification is preferred.

• School library or international-school experience is desirable.

• Experience using library-management systems and digital learning resources.

• Excellent written and spoken English.

Skills and attributes

• Happy, enthusiastic, approachable, and highly motivated.

• Passionate about children’s literature and developing a love of reading.

• Creative and confident in storytelling and delivering engaging activities.

• Patient, caring, and able to build positive relationships with children.

• Collaborative and willing to support teachers and the wider school community.

• Organised, reliable, flexible, and proactive.

• Committed to inclusion, safeguarding, and the values of GEMS Winchester School, Abu Dhabi.

GEMS safeguarding

GEMS Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We are dedicated to creating safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environments where students can thrive, and we expect all employees, volunteers, and partners to share this commitment.

As part of our safer recruitment practices, all successful applicants will be subject to comprehensive pre-employment checks, including verification of identity, qualifications, employment history, professional references, and criminal record checks from all countries of residence and employment, in line with local and international safeguarding requirements. These checks may include enhanced disclosure, prohibition, barring, and overseas police clearance checks where applicable. We are committed to recruiting individuals who uphold the highest standards of professional conduct and child protection.