Job: Library Management Facilitator

2/26/14 – Library Management Facilitator
Room to Read, Zambia

The Library Management Facilitator (“LMF”) works with multiple schools to set up and monitor highly functioning libraries.  The LMF reports to the Literacy Program Field Operations Officer.  The LMF supports school librarian in the initial set up of the library, including book leveling and classification system, check-out system, setting up furniture, and creating a library period time-table.

Sarah P’s comments:  Room to Read is a fairly new organization but is receiving great reviews in the NGO world.  This job sounds fantastic but my question is are they trying to hire someone local in Zambia or is this an expat position?  I have read that for RTR the job will say if it is ‘local hire’ but I would check.  Other than that I would apply!

Volunteer: Cook Islands Libraries

2/21/14 – Cook Islands Libraries

Library and Museum: Volunteers are needed in several libraries to clean and straighten shelves, creating card catalogs, sorting donated books, and protecting and filing archival documents.

This volunteer opportunity is organized through Global Volunteers which organizes volunteer vacations.  FYI: there is a fee of $2,495 for  a 1-week stay, $2,685 for 2-weeks, and $2,895 for 3-weeks.

Sarah P’s comments:  paying to volunteer is a concept that is mildly disturbing but this organization is reputable and the fee covers all in- country expenses.  Plus I had friends who worked in the Cook Islands and raved about both the scenery and the friendly people.

Job: Director of Library Services

3/18/14 – position -reposted!

2/18/14 – Director of Library Services
Ross University, Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis

The Director will manage the affairs of the library with service to students, faculty, and staff as the top priority. The director will be responsible for making sure that the library runs smoothly, all necessary resources are available and properly organized, and that users know how to use the resources.  Required knowledge, skills and education include Master’s Degree / MLS from ALA accredited school, thorough knowledge and experience with library practices and procedures and excellent prioritization skills.  Relocation assistance and a comprehensive benefits and competitive salary await the right candidate.

Sarah P’s comments:  That makes two positions listed in the last month with Ross campuses in the Caribbean (see my earlier post of 1/7/14). The Caribbean is home to several offshore medical schools catering to students who can’t go to medical school in the US due to lower grades or financial issues.  According to the medical student blogs Ross is near the top of the list.

Job: University Librarian

2/18/14 – University Librarian
Elizade University, Llara-Mokin, Ondo State, Nigeria

The University Librarian as a Principal Officer shall be in charge of the University Library and its constituent units. He shall be responsible to the Vice-Chancellor for the operations of the University.
For this key management position, the University seeks candidates who have good managerial ability, integrity and transparency in private and public life and who should be able to provide the Management of the University with appropriate advice and support for all of the institution’s library transactions.  Candidates must possess a Ph.D. in Library Studies or M.L.S and be of a Professorial Standing in addition to other professional qualifications. Applicants must also be extensively Computer literate.

Sarah P’s comments:  I post this job with a word of caution.  Carefully research the politics before applying.  I have a friend who recently left the American University of Nigeria in part because he believes Nigeria to be on the brink of civil war.

Volunteer: Librarian

2/12/14 –  Volunteer Librarian
Shiksha Alok Library books for Himalayan Communities, Uttarakhand, India

Shiksha Alok Library books for Himalayan Communities is now growing in numbers and we need to develop an organised system for organizing keeping track of our books! We are looking for a volunteer who can help us get our library organized which will include:

• Creating a computer database with a labelling system for all library books, magazines and periodicals.
• Labeling them based on structured reading level.
• Organizing books issuing computer based system.
• Work on once a week book reading & story telling library program.
• Train one of our beneficiaries to take on the responsibility later.

This will be a short-term position. Library open on weekdays & timings are 3pm to 5 pm.

Job: Librarian at Sea

2/3/14 – Assistant Librarian  (summer 2015 and Fall 2015)
Semester at Sea, University of Virginia

Assists the senior librarian, appointed by the University of Virginia, in the general operation of the 10,000 volume library aboard the mv Explorer. Duties include cataloging (LC), reference work, faculty assistance, shelf reading, supervision of work- study students, maintaining 15-hour a day library operation, and collection review. The collection is developed to support the liberal arts, itinerary-oriented international study program conducted on board ship.

Sarah P’s comments:  This is a truly great opportunity to sail around the world while you work.  The pay is minimal (approx $2,000) but room and board is included and you are allowed to bring your spouse/family.  The grapevine advice is that you need to be persistent and expect to apply and interview more than once before being hired.  I did score an interview and the timing was about six-nine months before the actual sailing date although they post the positions much earlier.

Job: Library Director & Teaching Librarian

2/2/14 – Library Director & Teaching Librarian
College of the Marshall Islands, Majuro Atoll

Library Director:  The Library of the College of the Marshall Islands, a community college located on Majuro atoll in the Marshall Islands, invites applications for a full-time position as Director of Library Services to apply beginning March 2014.   Qualifications: MLS.

Teaching Librarian: The Teaching Librarian works with the library personnel to ensure that essential library education functions are performed for both CMI students and the Community. Qualifications: BA or BS in Education and school or college library experience.

Sarah P’s comments:  The Marshalls are where you should go if you want a funky, out-of-it experience.  They are far from anywhere and you will face challenges such as an unmotivated local population, expensive electricity, and things like the one ATM machine running out of money on weekends.  However, that said, this is the first time I have seen two positions listed for the library so progress must be happening at least at the College.  Note that an MLS is not needed for the teaching position and these positions were previously posted sometime last fall so they must not have been successful in finding acceptable candidates.

Job: School Librarian

2/3/14 – School Librarian (Middle or Elementary)
American School of Doha, Qatar

ASD is a fantastic school in a supportive community, located in a fascinating country that is on the move. ASD was started 25 years ago by the American Embassy. We have almost 2100 students, 40% of whom are from North America. Qatar is a safe, progressive country that has a far-reaching and unusual vision for the future. Please see the attached job description. While the opening is for a librarian at the middle level, there is flexibility for a lower elementary librarian consideration.

Sarah P’s comments:  I just had to include the first sentence from the ad because it’s such an overstatement.  Doha is progressive in some ways however there is a repressive element that is growing (they recently banned alcohol in a new shopping area for example).  The school is established and well-funded however an increasing number of  many of the students are local and that trend is increasing as the school expands.  Two things to note: the job description is not attached as indicated nor is the job is posted on the school’s website.  Secondly, it is rare for international schools to post jobs outside of the established places such as the recruiting agencies and/or TIE (The International Educator).  This is evidence that the market is changing to hiring directly and that potentially schools are having trouble finding enough librarians to fill the jobs vacant (25 positions are open on TIE as I write this.)