Details
Posted: 03-Jun-22
Location: Saugerties, New York
Type: Full Time
Preferred Education: Masters
Categories:
Library/Media Specialist
Title: Head Librarian
Reports To: Dean of Students
Status: Full-time, exempt 11-month position
Start Date: August 2022
About Woodstock Day School
Founded in 1973, Woodstock Day School (WDS) is a progressive, independent school set on a 40-acre campus in New York’s Hudson Valley. Located midway between the towns of Woodstock and Saugerties and roughly two hours north of Manhattan, WDS is a board-certified member of the New York State Association of Independent Schools and offers a unique and inclusive educational experience to approximately 200 students from nursery school through grade twelve.
WDS believes that there is no such thing as an “average” student, and our combination of purposefully small class sizes, intensely committed faculty and a culture of individual respect empowers our students to aim high, shape and achieve their personal goals, and prepares them to make a positive difference in a complex world. Added to the program in 2003, our middle and upper schools offer outstanding programs for grades 6-12, helping students discover their passions, achieve academic and personal excellence and demonstrate a commitment to service. WDS actively seeks to build a diverse community of educators.
Summary
The Head Librarian supervises and manages the school library/media center, providing services and resources that allow students to develop skills in locating, evaluating, synthesizing, and using information to solve problems; and serves as teacher, materials expert, and curriculum adviser to ensure that library/media center is involved in instructional programs of the school that the library is the focal point for equity and inclusion, social justice and environment/activism.
Additional expectations include attending staff meetings, in-service days including a week in August and a week after school ends in June, and to participate in the life of the school. Faculty hours on campus are 8:00 am to 3:45 pm, with a weekly staff meeting until 5 pm.
As an 11-month position, the Head Librarian will also be required to do work in the library over the summer to maintain, upgrade, and prepare the library for the start of the school year.
Ideal candidates are excited to be a part of a progressive community and have demonstrated a commitment to addressing issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion within and outside the classroom.
Key Responsibilities
Instruction
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Provide group instruction and individual guidance to students to help them locate resources and use research techniques
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Consult teachers on appropriate use of materials and help them schedule materials for classroom instruction
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Serve as information resource for users of library/media center materials and provide staff development opportunities for teachers on the availability and use of campus learning resources
Library Programs
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Effectively plan school library program to meet identified needs
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Assist in preparation of bibliographies and curriculum guides
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Manage acquisitions, processing, organizing, distribution, maintenance, and inventory of resources
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Coordinate development and maintenance of community resource file
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Create a library/media center environment that is conducive to learning and appropriate to the maturity level and interests of students
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Use appropriate and effective techniques to encourage community and parent involvement
Administration
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Compile, budget and cost estimates based on documented program needs
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Compile, maintain, and file all physical and computerized reports, records, and other documents required
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Develop and coordinate a continuing evaluation of the library/media center program and make changes based on the findings
Other
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Interact with students to promote positive attitudes toward school library
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Maintain a positive and effective relationship with supervisors
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Communicate effectively with colleagues, students and parents
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Supervise library assistant(s) and parent volunteers
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Ensure library resources and library programs reflect topics and life experiences from a diversity of perspectives
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Take a lead role in organizing the school’s annual Book Fair
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Other duties as assigned
How to Apply
To apply, please submit a letter of interest, explaining why you would succeed in this position, resume, three references and salary requirements as attachments, via e-mail to careers@woodstockdayschool.org. Please include Head Librarian in the subject line.
Employees are required to follow all COVID-19 protocols for K-12 schools as determined by NYS and any additional protocols as set forth by the school administration, including a requirement that all staff and faculty be vaccinated for COVID-19.
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Master’s degree in Library Science or other appropriate discipline; M.S.I.S./School Library Media degree preferred
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Experience in library/media center in academic setting preferred
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Ability to instruct and manage student behavior
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Strong organizational, communication and interpersonal skills