About us
Purpose of the library (Our goals)/ librarian
To provide a central resource facility that is used regularly by teachers and students alike on both individual bases and by whole classes, being a hive of learning activity. The library should extend all learning and teaching (IB, “Ideal libraries…” 3).
To provide for the following activities: Casual reading; quiet study; group work; printing, copying and scanning; catalogue and resource access; resource check out facilities; and storytelling/ drama/play/ puppet activities in the primary library theatre room.
To give the whole VFIS community access to a wide range of books, databases, online news, etc that support the development of international mindedness in students, thus supporting the IB and VFIS Mission. There will be sources that support the investigation of a range of global issues and at least some materials in each of the languages studied at VFIS.
To “promote multilingualism, which is required to support multiliteracies” (IB, “Ideal libraries…” 7) there will be significant collections in both English and Vietnamese, with at least 50% of the books in English. Within the English resources the library provides numerous EAL resources. Some books in other languages (French, Chinese and Korean) are also part of the library collection.
To “develop collections that reflect the community’s needs and objectives for personal, academic or professional learning, multiliteracies, and language development” (IB, “Ideal libraries…” 13).
To consider inclusion and diversity when developing collections and managing the library facility. The librarian should collaborate with the inclusion department to best address the needs of any students with access requirements (see section 2.1.1 ‘Candidates with assessment access requirements’ cited below for further information) or educational support plans.
To play a teaching role with regard to information literacy skills, referencing (using MLA 8 format) and academic honesty. The librarian will play a particularly significant role with IBDP students in supporting them with their extended essays.
To collaborate with teachers in order to integrate approaches to learning (ATL) skills into the vertical and horizontal curriculum supporting teachers in developing inquiry across the curriculum (IB, Diploma Programme..42).
To help “shape the content, the curriculum and the community in a way that gives learners the best chance to succeed” (IB, “Ideal libraries…” 1).
To support ‘learners and teachers’ progress towards becoming better inquirers, consumers and creators of information (IB, “Ideal libraries…” 2). Awareness of filter bubbles is for example important. In particular the library and librarian will support students with their extended essays. “The school librarian can provide leadership and expertise in the selection, acquisition, evaluation, and organization of information resources and technologies in all formats, as well as expertise in the ethical use of information” (IB, “Extended essay Guide” 36).
To support and energise reading, multiliteracies, approaches to learning, approaches to teaching and learner profile development (IB, “Ideal libraries…” 3).
To offer “alternatives to the information that learners will not (or cannot) find on their own” (IB, “Ideal libraries…” 4). “The librarian may have to teach and unteach searching habits that learners use to initiate inquiries” (IB, “Ideal libraries…” 9).
To collaborate with teachers, the IBDP Coordinator & Extended essay supervisors in planning, teaching and learning (IB, “Ideal libraries…” 5). There will be allocated times, as part of the weekly PD where the librarian will work with a range of other faculty. Collaboration will not however be limited to these times.
To encourage “reading for personal enjoyment, with the aim of creating lifelong readers” (IB, “Ideal libraries…” 13).
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Self-check station and Book Cleaning Machine
