School Librarian

Gems Education UAE; Dubai; On-site; AED 78,120 - 122,760; Full time

Job summary

GEMS Education in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, seeks a School Librarian to manage library resources, support literacy, and help students and staff access learning materials.

The role covers cataloguing, circulation, acquisitions, digital resources, and daily library operations while creating an engaging, inclusive reading culture for the school community.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Library Science or related field and relevant library experience.
• Experience with Dewey Decimal system and library cataloguing.

Responsibilities

• Support students, staff, and leaders by managing library resources and promoting reading across the school community.
• Oversee book circulation, cataloguing, acquisitions, subscriptions, and digital resources.
• Train and supervise volunteers and library staff; liaise with department heads on resource needs.
• Organize shelves, displays, and literacy promotions; prepare annual purchasing plans.

Skills

Library operations

Library management

Dewey Decimal classification

Book cataloguing

Information retrieval

Research assistance

Reading programmes

Literacy initiatives

Student engagement

Record management

Safeguarding

Education

Bachelor's degree in Library Science, Information Management, Education, or a related field

Tools

Library management systems

Online databases

Microsoft Office

Digital learning platforms

Job description

Role Context

The School Librarian will support students, teachers, academic departments, and school leaders by maintaining an accessible collection of print, digital, audiovisual, examination, careers, and reference resources. The role will guide students in selecting books suited to their reading ability and interests while helping staff locate curriculum-related materials. Responsibilities also include maintaining circulation records, following up on overdue books, coordinating annual orders, cataloguing resources, supervising support staff or volunteers, and promoting reading across the school community.

Overview

School Librarian in Dubai, United Arab Emirates is a Libraries opportunity with GEMS Education for an organized and student-focused professional responsible for managing library resources, supporting literacy, and helping students and teachers access appropriate learning materials. The role will oversee book circulation, cataloguing, acquisitions, subscriptions, digital resources, examination materials, and the daily organization of the school library. The successful candidate will create a welcoming and inclusive library environment that encourages reading, independent research, and responsible use of resources. Strong knowledge of the Dewey Decimal classification system, library management systems, information retrieval, and age-appropriate book selection is essential.

Job Details

Country: United Arab Emirates
City: Dubai
Industry: Libraries
Function: Librarian
Salary: 7000-11000
Estimated salary range based on similar jobs in the job city; please confirm the final offer with the employer.
Gender: Any
Candidate Nationality: Any
Job Type: Full-time

Responsibilities

• Support the ethos, standards, and educational values established by GEMS Education.
• Help students select books appropriate to their age, reading level, interests, and learning requirements.
• Assist teachers and other staff in locating topic-related books, reference materials, and digital resources.
• Manage arrangements for students and employees to borrow and return library materials.
• Maintain accurate records of books issued, returned, renewed, reserved, lost, or damaged.
• Follow up on overdue and unreturned books through approved school communication channels.
• Prepare written notifications for parents when library materials remain outstanding.
• Develop recommended reading lists for different age groups, subjects, interests, and ability levels.
• Promote age-appropriate fiction, nonfiction, reference, and educational resources.
• Introduce younger students to books, responsible resource care, and appropriate library behavior.
• Teach students how to navigate the library layout and locate materials independently.
• Explain the Dewey Decimal classification system and basic research methods.
• Support information-literacy activities that help students identify reliable and relevant sources.
• Liaise with Heads of Department to identify curriculum, reference, and reading-resource requirements.
• Prepare the annual library purchasing plan in coordination with academic departments and school leaders.
• Select new books, periodicals, subscriptions, databases, audiovisual materials, and digital resources.
• Place approved orders and monitor delivery timelines with suppliers.
• Receive, inspect, record, label, cover, and prepare new resources for circulation.
• Catalogue books and other resources using the Dewey Decimal system where applicable.
• Maintain accurate bibliographic and classification information within the library management system.
• Produce and update catalogues of available library resources.
• Organize shelves, displays, learning areas, and digital collections so materials are easy to locate.
• Conduct regular stock checks and maintain accurate inventory records.
• Repair books and other resources where practical.
• Identify outdated, damaged, unsuitable, or duplicate materials for withdrawal.
• Follow approved procedures for removing resources from the collection.
• Manage the storage, maintenance, organization, and accessibility of audiovisual resources.
• Maintain digital library resources, online databases, subscriptions, and electronic learning materials.
• Support students and staff in using library systems, research tools, and online resources.
• Maintain and update examination resources, including past papers, syllabi, revision materials, and supporting documents.
• Organize college, university, careers, and further-education materials.
• Ensure the library remains comfortable, attractive, organized, well lit, and clearly signposted.
• Create engaging book displays, themed collections, and literacy promotions.
• Support reading programmes, book fairs, author events, competitions, and library activities.
• Encourage participation in literacy initiatives and independent reading.
• Identify opportunities for volunteer assistance where appropriate.
• Train volunteers in library processes, circulation procedures, shelving, and resource handling.
• Participate in the selection, training, scheduling, and supervision of library support staff.
• Allocate duties and monitor the accuracy and quality of support activities.
• Respond to reference and research enquiries from students, teachers, and staff.
• Help users retrieve information efficiently from print and digital sources.
• Maintain confidentiality when handling student, employee, and borrowing records.
• Ensure library practices comply with school policies, codes of conduct, and UAE requirements.
• Attend staff meetings and participate in committees when required.
• Contribute additional time and effort when school events or essential library activities require it.
• Perform other reasonable responsibilities assigned by line managers or supervisors.

Ideal Profile

• Bachelor 's degree in Library Science, Information Management, Education, or a related field.
• Proven experience working as a librarian.
• Previous library experience within a school, university, or educational institution in the UAE is preferred.
• Strong understanding of library operations, circulation, acquisitions, cataloguing, classification, and inventory management.
• Practical knowledge of the Dewey Decimal classification system.
• Experience using library management systems and online databases.
• Familiarity with digital library management and electronic learning resources.
• Ability to select, evaluate, and maintain age-appropriate books and educational materials.
• Knowledge of school policies and UAE requirements relating to educational resources.
• Strong research, information-retrieval, and reference-support skills.
• Experience managing book acquisitions, subscriptions, shelving, and resource organization.
• Ability to promote reading programmes, literacy initiatives, library activities, and student engagement.
• Excellent organization, accuracy, and attention to detail.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to build positive relationships with students, teachers, parents, volunteers, and school leaders.
• Commitment to maintaining a welcoming, inclusive, and student-focused library environment.
• Good information technology skills, including Microsoft Office and digital learning platforms.
• Proficiency in English.
• Knowledge of Arabic is advantageous.
• Ability to supervise support staff and train volunteers when required.
• Commitment to safeguarding, professional conduct, confidentiality, and continuous improvement.

Skills Set

• School library operations
• Library management
• Library Science
• Dewey Decimal classification
• Book cataloguing
• Computerized cataloguing
• Library management systems
• Digital library management
• Online databases
• Book circulation
• Book acquisitions
• Inventory management
• Resource organization
• Periodical subscriptions
• Audiovisual resources
• Digital learning platforms
• Information retrieval
• Reference support
• Research assistance
• Reading programmes
• Literacy initiatives
• Age-appropriate book selection
• Reading-level guidance
• Examination resources
• Careers information
• Volunteer training
• Staff supervision
• Microsoft Office
• Student engagement
• Parent communication
• Record management
• Safeguarding

Why Join Us

This role offers the opportunity to support student learning and literacy within GEMS Education 's international school network. The School Librarian will help shape a positive reading culture, maintain high-quality educational resources, and provide students and teachers with dependable research and information support. The position is well suited to a qualified librarian who values organization, education, technology, and daily interaction with a diverse school community. It also provides opportunities to contribute to literacy events, curriculum support, digital learning, and wider school initiatives.

About the Company

GEMS Education is an international education organization operating schools across the United Arab Emirates and other global markets. Its schools provide diverse academic programmes, modern learning resources, inclusive educational environments, and professional development opportunities for employees. GEMS Education libraries support classroom learning, independent research, literacy development, and student wellbeing by providing organized access to print, digital, audiovisual, examination, and careers resources.