The Calhoun School, a leading progressive, independent, co-educational day school in Manhattan, seeks a full time experienced educator to serve as the Librarian. The Librarian supports the School’s library program and works with the lower, middle and upper school library collections, faculty and students to develop information literacy skills, technology competencies, and exposure to media best practices through one-on-one reference interactions.  The Librarian will also play a role in curriculum development, advising and collaborating with the instructional faculty. 

The ideal candidate for this position possesses a love and affinity for learning, strong organizational and planning skills and initiative to work independently and efficiently. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Establish and maintain an inviting and welcoming space that empowers students to be critical thinkers, enthusiastic readers, skillful researchers, and ethical users of information;
• Manage and supervise the library space to support a broad spectrum of work styles and learning needs;
• Provide leadership and expertise in the selection, acquisition, evaluation, and organization of information resources in all formats (analog, digital, media, visual, etc.), as well as expertise in the scholarly and ethical use of information;
• Lead processes for textbook acquisition, distribution, inventory, storage and re-use. Develop related policies for teachers and students;
• Collaborate with Divisional and School-wide leadership to develop and implement a strategic direction for educational technologies across the school;
• Curate, develop, manage, and promote a collection that represents diverse cultures, experiences, and viewpoints that support curricular goals;
• Partner with teachers of various disciplines to create user-friendly guidelines to teach students best practices for building research skills.  Schedule one-on-one research conferences with individual students and teachers as needed;
• Partner with Parents’ Association with regard to the organization and communication of the annual book fair;
• Establish collaborative processes and procedures for strategic selection, acquisition, circulation, and resource sharing that meet school needs (for instance, summer reading program) 
• Prepare and administer the school library budget to support specific program goals; 
• Follow recurring grant guidelines, including timely application and preparation for efficient reporting;
• Work collaboratively with the school community to define the policies of the library program and to guide and direct all library activities; 
• Share expertise by presenting at faculty meetings, parent meetings, and at conferences;
• Attend faculty and committee meetings and occasional additional meetings, events, and training that extend beyond the school day.
• Teach engaging and informative courses to lower and middle school students, fostering a love for reading and learning while instructing on essential library media skills, digital literacy, and research skills.

SUCCESS FACTORS/JOB COMPETENCIES

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Strategies for fostering a cross-divisional culture of excitement and engagement with reading, research, and alternative media
• Excellent problem-solving skills, creativity, judgment, initiative, and a strong sense of humor.
• Genuine interest in working with students
• Interest in working in a progressive and humanistic school with a focus on experiential and

 place-based teaching and learning

• Appreciation for, and commitment to, diversity and social justice in multiple forms.
• Demonstration of enthusiasm and interpersonal skills to relate well with students, staff, administration, parents and the community.
• Flexibility and ability to cope with change

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

• A Master's of Library Science (MLS), Masters of Library and Information Science (MLIS), or similar degree
• Demonstrated commitment to and engagement in work around identity, equity, diversity & inclusion

QUALIFICATIONS PREFERRED

• Experience in Independent Schools

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY WORK

Calhoun is committed to addressing issues of social justice, diversity, equity, and anti-bias education in our curriculum and in our community. Employees must be willing learners and participants in supporting this work.

Calhoun is committed to recruiting, hiring and supporting a diverse staff and welcomes applicants of all gender, sexuality, religious, ethnic, racial and cultural identities. Calhoun does not unlawfully discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of one’s actual or perceived race; color; religion; sex/gender (including gender identity); creed; sexual orientation; marital status; pregnancy; ethnicity; national origin; ancestry; age; disability.