Middle School Librarian

Job Details
Job Location
Latin Middle School - Chicago, IL
Position Type
Full Time
Description
Latin School of Chicago provides its students with a rigorous and innovative educational program in a community that embraces diversity of people, cultures and ideas. Latin inspires its students to pursue their passions and lead lives of purpose and excellence. This is an exciting opportunity for a Librarian who has a passion for supporting students in an outstanding academic environment.
Latin School of Chicago is looking for a collaborative, forward-thinking, and experienced teacher-librarian to serve our students and faculty. The librarian will work with the school community to design and implement innovative learning opportunities.
Please include a Statement of Educational Philosophy with your application.
Responsibilities:

• Overview
  • Spearhead embedded library instruction for 5th-8th grades: develop and collaborate on grade-appropriate research units, including discovery, evaluation, use, and citation of resources; advise teachers on electronic and print materials for classroom use.
  • Maintain the Middle School library space through collection development including purchasing, cataloging, processing, maintenance and deaccessioning of print and digital materials
  • Provide Readers' Advisory services through one-on-one consultations as well as large group book talks.
  • Collaborate with upper and lower School Librarians to foster a K-12 information skills curriculum, cultivate an effective and efficient electronic databases collection, and establish and evolve library best practices.
  • Create and execute active and passive programming to boost student engagement.
• Planning and Preparation
  • Collaborate with faculty to plan and execute effective lesson plans for students
  • Create reserve collections and pathfinders to support classroom learning
  • Conduct readers' advisory services both in-person and via evolving technologies
  • Create systems for goal setting and evaluating quality of library service
  • Ensure access to relevant information sources inside and outside of the community
• Environment
  • Create student-centered routines and classroom procedures
  • Develop and support a balanced collection that serves as both mirror and window for learning community; inventories and evaluates holdings for accuracy and currency
  • Manage circulation functions including patron and item records
  • Promote culture of natural investigation and lifelong learning through effective library design
• Delivery of Service
  • Guide faculty in teaching of digital, media, and information literacy
  • Serve as youth advocate and consultant, especially relating to issues of media mentorship, resource selection, and educational best practices
  • Assist in budget management
  • Facilitate author visits, book groups, and other community enrichment activities
  • Maintain library presence on school intranet
• Professional Responsibilities
  • Attend faculty meetings and fulfill assigned building responsibilities/duties
  • Serve as a homeroom teacher/advisor to 8-10 Middle School students
  • Engage in continuous professional development and reflection of practice
  • Initiate and lead professional development and training for faculty

Qualifications

• ALA-Accredited master's degree in Library and Information Science and experience as a teacher-librarian in a school setting
• Strong knowledge of instructional design and multi-format resources for youth
• Experience using a problem-solving approach in teaching
• Enjoys the energy and enthusiasm of Middle School students
• Well-versed in utilizing educational technology
• Cultivates an inclusive and supportive climate for all students, especially students from underrepresented backgrounds, and who fosters an appreciation for differences in our community.
• Able to the needs of the whole child and supports the social/emotional growth of all students.
• Team player and actively contributes to the grade level, the department, and the Middle School as a whole.

Latin School embraces diversity of people, cultures, and ideas and is an equal opportunity employer.