Librarian

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY

The Librarian leads Alcuin School’s library and information-literacy program for students from Toddler through grade 12. The Librarian creates and manages an inviting, inclusive, and academically rigorous learning environment that nurtures a joy of reading, inquiry, research, and lifelong learning. Serving as an educator, curriculum partner, research specialist, and collection strategist, the Librarian thoughtfully curates physical and digital resources that support Montessori pedagogy, International Baccalaureate programs, the School’s curriculum, and the developmental needs and interests of students across all divisions. The collection should reflect diverse global perspectives and include works by authors whose lived experiences and cultural perspectives authentically inform their work. The Librarian collaborates with faculty to integrate information literacy, international-mindedness, and diverse narratives throughout the School’s academic program.

JOB SCOPE

The Librarian reports administratively to the Director of Lower Elementary while serving the entire School. The Librarian works collaboratively with each Division Director and the appropriate IB coordinators to identify instructional and collection priorities. When significant priorities compete or cannot be resolved within available resources, the Librarian presents the needs, relevant data, and recommends options to the Head of School for direction.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

K–12 Instruction and Student Learning

• Designs and teaches developmentally appropriate library and information-literacy instruction, generally serving Primary through grade 12, with schedules and grade-level assignments established annually based on School needs.
• Develops students’ skills in inquiry, research, source evaluation, media literacy, citation, attribution, academic integrity, copyright, fair use, digital citizenship, online safety, misinformation awareness, and the ethical use of generative artificial intelligence.
• Promotes independent reading, literature appreciation, curiosity, student agency, and responsible use of shared resources in ways consistent with Montessori principles and the IB learner profile.
• Provides reference and research support to students and employees using age-appropriate print, digital, and multimedia resources.
• Differentiates instruction and resource access to support students with varying developmental, language, learning, accessibility, and research needs.

Montessori, IB, and Curriculum Partnership

• Collaborates with faculty to plan and deliver inquiry-based lessons and curate resources that support classroom learning without assuming responsibility for textbooks or curriculum-material inventories.
• Supports the IB Diploma Programme and Middle Years Programme in partnership with IB coordinators and assigned faculty, including research connected to the Extended Essay, Personal Project, and other program requirements.
• Advances international mindedness by ensuring access to credible information about global issues and a range of cultural, geographic, historical, and contemporary perspectives.
• Participates in relevant faculty, division, curriculum, and IB planning meetings when library expertise or resource planning is needed.
• Builds faculty capacity through consultation, resource guides, demonstrations, and professional learning related to research tools, information literacy, academic integrity, and ethical technology use.

Collection Development and Stewardship

• Develops and maintains a balanced, globally representative, culturally responsive, accurate, accessible, and developmentally appropriate collection of print, digital, audiovisual, and multilingual resources aligned with the School’s mission, Montessori and IB programs, curriculum, and student interests.
• Evaluates the collection for gaps, duplication, currency, accuracy, bias, representation, physical condition, accessibility, usage, curriculum alignment, and space limitations; makes evidence-informed acquisition and deselection recommendations.
• Works closely with Division Directors, IB coordinators, and faculty to identify purchasing priorities and allocate available resources across divisions.
• Researches, selects, acquires, catalogs, classifies, processes, and promotes library resources in accordance with professional standards and School procedures.
• Maintains the online catalog, circulation records, inventory controls, and meaningful usage data; produces reports that inform planning, budgeting, and collection decisions.
• Plans the physical collection and library environment thoughtfully within the limitations of a small library and minimal storage space, balancing accessibility, instructional use, student experience, and responsible stewardship.
• Manages donations and gifts in accordance with approved collection standards and the School’s needs.

Policy Development, Intellectual Freedom, and Responsible Use

• Leads the development, implementation, and periodic review of School policies and procedures for collection development, resource selection, donations, deselection, challenged-material reconsideration, circulation, lost or damaged materials, copyright, licensing, student privacy, and responsible use of library resources.
• Applies established selection and reconsideration procedures consistently, documenting decisions and consulting appropriate School leaders when concerns arise.
• Balances intellectual freedom, the School’s mission, developmental appropriateness, educational value, parent concerns, applicable law, and professional standards when evaluating resources.
• Protects the confidentiality of student and patron records and limits employee and volunteer access to information based on legitimate job responsibilities.

Digital Resources and Library Systems

• Manages and evaluates the library-management system, research databases, e-books, audiobooks, journals, and other digital resources, including licensing, renewals, authentication, usage, and cost effectiveness.
• Collaborates with the Technology Department regarding system integrations, access, privacy, security, backups, and technical support; serves as the functional owner of library systems rather than general IT support.
• Provides students and employees with instruction and support in the effective, responsible, and ethical use of research databases, digital collections, and emerging technologies.
• Assesses the accessibility of print and digital resources and recommends reasonable alternatives or supports when needed.

Program Leadership, Budget, and Community Engagement

• Develops and administers the library budget, maintains accurate purchasing records, monitors expenditures, and recommends priorities based on program needs and available resources.
• Establishes annual program goals and uses circulation, instruction, collection, engagement, and resource-usage data to evaluate and improve library services.
• Plans and executes library programs and events, which may include the book fair, author visits, reading initiatives, parent education, and community partnerships.
• Communicates regularly with students, families, faculty, and School leaders about resources, services, expectations, and opportunities for engagement.
• Participates in School, community, parent-education, and occasional evening or weekend events as required by the position or assigned in accordance with School policy.

Supervision and Operations

• Supervises the Library Assistant and coordinates library volunteers, including work assignment, scheduling, training, coaching, performance feedback, and compliance with School procedures.
• Participates in the selection and evaluation of library employees, as applicable, in partnership with the supervisor and Human Resources.
• Establishes efficient workflows for circulation, shelving, cataloging, inventory, acquisitions, student supervision, and daily library operations.
• Maintains a welcoming, orderly, inclusive, safe, and developmentally appropriate environment for learners from Toddler through grade 12.
• Completes required CPR and first-aid certification upon hire if not already certified and maintains certification as required by the School.
• Follows the Employee Handbook, safeguarding expectations, and all other School policies and procedures.

MARGINAL FUNCTIONS

• Completes state-mandated bus driver training and drives an Alcuin bus on field trips when required
• Performs other job-related duties consistent with the purpose and level of the position, as assigned by the Director of Lower Elementary or Head of School.