Leading Your International School Library Qualification
LYIS-LibQ
A professional qualification for school librarians who lead, or want to lead, libraries in international schools.
- Duration
- Two years
- Year 1
- Five modules
- Year 2
- In-school implementation
- Study
- About four hours a week
- Status
- Accreditation in progress
About the course
The LYIS-LibQ is a professional qualification designed for school librarians who lead, or want to lead, libraries in international schools. It is currently undergoing accreditation. It’s built on nine professional standards and mapped to CILIP’s Professional Knowledge and Skills Base, so it’s rigorous and recognised while staying rooted in the realities of international school life.
It runs over two years: one taught year, then a second year putting your plan into practice in your own school, the same shape as the LYIS-PQ.
The topics range from ethics, safeguarding and equity to strategic planning, change management, team development, and AI and data literacy and governance.
How it works
It’s designed to fit around a busy working life. Expect about four hours of self-directed study a week, plus live online sessions, one-to-one coaching and peer feedback from colleagues worldwide. Every task is linked to your own school, so what you produce, such as audits, strategic analyses and development plans, is ready to use rather than just filed away.
Assessment and the second year
Assessment includes a mid-term strategic analysis and a final School Library Development Plan, which you present and defend in a viva. In Year 2, you put your plan into action, supported by a Critical Friend and further coaching, and gather evidence of its real impact.
Why it matters
Few global opportunities specialise in school librarianship as a professional qualification, so the LYIS-LibQ offers a unique chance to demonstrate the scope and value of your role.
What you will take away
- Lead your school library with a clear, strategic vision
- Build inclusive, future-ready library provision
- Apply ethics, safeguarding, and AI and data literacy to your own context
- Produce a School Library Development Plan you can put to work
- Gather evidence of real impact in your own school
Course modules
The International School Library Leader
Strategic and Operational Library Leadership
People Leadership for Impact
Leading Innovation in Learning
Sustainable Leadership Practice
Course leader
Dr Sarah Pavey MSc FCLIP FRSA
Sarah has over 20 years’ experience as a school librarian in many different types of school. For more than ten years she has run her training and consultancy business SP4IL, providing courses for schools around the globe. She holds a degree in biochemistry, a masters in information science and a Fellowship of CILIP, and has written many professional books including The Innovative School Librarian, Playing Games in the Library and The Networked Librarian.
Why invest in this course?
Practical and relevant
Insights and tools you can use in your own school the following week.
A global network
Learn alongside leaders from international schools across Asia and beyond.
Expert faculty
Taught by experienced international school leaders and specialists.
Enquire about LYIS-LibQ
Tell us a little about yourself and the course team will reply with dates, places and next steps.
Lead alongside people who get it.
Membership from £95 a year. Mentoring, member pricing on courses, first call on conference places, and a community that has your back.
