Librarian - PYP

GEMS Education; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

GEMS World Academy in Abu Dhabi seeks a PYP Librarian to create a welcoming library that inspires reading, inquiry, and discovery among primary students. The role involves collaborating with teachers to align library resources with units of inquiry and literacy goals, and to foster digital literacy and research skills.

The successful candidate will be energetic, creative, and devoted to supporting multilingual learners while maintaining an inclusive and safe learning environment.

Qualifications

• A recognised library or teaching qualification is preferred.
• Experience with primary-aged children is expected.
• International-school experience is desirable.
• Knowledge of the IB Primary Years Programme is desirable.
• Experience using library-management systems and digital learning resources.
• Excellent written and spoken English.

Responsibilities

• Manage the daily operation and development of the Primary School library.
• 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 PYP teachers to identify resources that support units of inquiry and literacy development.
• Work closely with the 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

Enthusiastic

Creative storytelling

Collaborative

Organised

Education

Qualified librarian or teacher

IB PYP knowledge (desirable)

Tools

Library management systems

Digital learning resources

Job description

Job Description

Job Purpose The PYP 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 support the Primary Years Programme; o 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 Primary School library.
• 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 PYP 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.
• Previous experience working with primary-aged children.
• School library or international-school experience is desirable.
• Knowledge of the IB Primary Years Programme 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 World Academy.