Lower School Librarian (Early Childhood Focus)

Purpose: The Early Childhood Librarian at ESD is a faculty member who values the mission of the school and is committed to teaching within a student-centered learning environment. The librarian is a visionary educator who advances the library as the hub of thought leadership in the Lower School and values the intersection between storytelling, exploration and access to information. In collaboration with classroom teachers, this educator designs and implements a program that instills a love of learning, fosters multiple literacies, ensures equitable access to information and empowers students to be enthusiastic readers, creative and critical thinkers.

Essential Functions:

Partners with the LS Librarian, LS Faculty and Edtech staff to create and maintain a meaningful and vital library program that motivates student learning in collaboration with classroom teachers.

• Partners with teaching colleagues to develop lessons that integrate information technology and research skills into the curriculum.
• Instructs and facilitates students in the process of locating, interpreting and applying information in all formats
• Serves as a resource for classroom teachers to show students what to DO with information
• Builds students’ sense of excitement about literature and improves reading skills

Provides leadership and expertise in the selection, acquisition, evaluation, and organization of information resources and technologies in all formats.

• Maintains and develops resources that support the mission of the program.
• Assists in developing the library’s web and educational social media presence
• Evaluates and improves quality, depth and breadth of the collection
• Manages a purchasing budget in accordance with guidelines set up by the Chief Financial Officer

Assists in program administration responsibilities

• Promotes and advances the library to the ESD community
• Assists with management of a vibrant parent volunteer program
• Designs curriculum, programs, and displays to further the library as the learning commons for the school

Attends Lower School faculty meetings, grade level meetings and supports the lower school division

• Maintains a personal commitment to professional growth by remaining current in the fields of library and information science, education, and emerging technologies
• Represents the library and serves on various decision-making school committees
• Attends daily chapel

Abuse Risk Management Standards:

• Adheres to policies related to boundaries with students.
• Attends required abuse risk management training.
• Adheres to procedures related to managing high-risk activities and supervising students.
• Reports suspicious and inappropriate behaviors.

Working Environment:

• Occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling.
• Generally 40% sitting, 40% walking and 20% standing.
• Occasional exposure to outdoor conditions.
• Generally hazard free environment.

• A master’s degree from an American Library Association accredited program, preferred.
• Demonstrated skill with innovative, effective and developmentally appropriate applications of educational technology
• A broad-based reader with a timely and proficient knowledge of literature and resources appropriate to early childhood student needs and interests
• Uses knowledge of early child development to impact literacy, research and thinking
• Strong interpersonal skills and leadership qualities supported by a sense of humor
• Proficient communicator who works closely and effectively with faculty and students
• Creative, knowledgeable, and willingness to promote the library
• Demonstrates visionary thinking about how to use space to reposition the library as a hub of thought leadership in Lower School
• Creates a library, media and design space that affords zones for concentration, collaboration, performance, research and engineering
• Experience with the design process and its impact using information to solve problems
• A demonstrated learner within a digital environment
• Adheres to ALA and AASL professional standards for librarians