Library Mission Statement

Our collection focuses on building lifelong habits of reading for pleasure and academic inquiry. Librarians work closely with the faculty to help students acquire fluency in information skills that will empower them to discover, understand, enjoy and create information in all its evolving dimensions.

The Buckley School, an all-boys K–9 school located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, seeks a warm, collaborative, and student-centered Lower School Librarian (K–3). The ideal candidate will have experience supporting the literacy development of children ages 6–9, a deep knowledge of children’s literature, and an understanding of how information, media, and technology literacy support learning and inquiry.

The Lower School Librarian works closely with the Upper School Librarian and partners with all Lower School faculty to cultivate joyful reading experiences, strong research and inquiry skills, and a vibrant library culture. The Lower School Librarian reports directly to the Director of the Lower School.

• Create a warm, joyful, and inclusive library environment that inspires curiosity, imagination, and a lifelong love of reading.
• Build strong relationships with students as readers and learners in order to thoughtfully recommend books, authors, genres, and series that foster confidence, empathy, curiosity, and sustained reading engagement.
• Design and teach engaging, developmentally appropriate library lessons and experiences for students in Kindergarten through Grade 3 in a fixed weekly schedule.
• Develop foundational information literacy skills through hands-on learning, guided inquiry, discussion, research, play, and storytelling.
• Help students understand how information is organized, located, evaluated, and shared while developing early research and inquiry skills through questioning, gathering information, identifying reliable sources, and communicating their ideas.
• Support students in developing independence and responsibility through book care, borrowing routines, and respectful use of library spaces and materials.
• Inspire enthusiasm for books and storytelling through read-alouds, book talks, author studies, themed displays, reading celebrations, and special library programs.
• Encourage students to explore a wide variety of literature that reflects diverse perspectives, experiences, and identities.
• Design and lead initiatives, such as a Summer Reading Challenge, that promote reading engagement and a continued connection to books beyond the school year.

• Serve as a collaborative resource for faculty in fostering curiosity, critical thinking, ethical information use, and a joyful reading culture throughout the Lower School.
• Partner with faculty to design and co-teach engaging, developmentally appropriate learning experiences that integrate literature, research, and media literacy.
• Recommend high-quality literature, instructional resources, and digital tools that enrich classroom learning and support differentiated instruction.
• Support teachers in fostering strong reading identities and joyful classroom reading communities.
• Contribute to student support meetings and apply aligned differentiation strategies.
• Curate and maintain engaging, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate library collections across two spaces that reflect student interests and support the curriculum.
• Participate in the ongoing development and implementation of Buckley’s Digital, Information, and AI Literacy Curriculum in collaboration with library, technology, and classroom faculty.

• Participate fully in the life of the school community, including events such as the Book Fair, school orientations, family literacy events, and other Lower School programs and celebrations.
• Partner with families through communication, workshops, and community events that support reading development and joyful literacy experiences at home and at school.
• Contribute positively to the broader school community through active participation in faculty and divisional responsibilities.
• Engage in ongoing professional growth and remain current with best practices in literacy, library science, children’s literature, educational technology, and information literacy.

The preferred candidate will have:

• A Master’s degree in Library and Information Science.
• At least 1-3 years of successful experience in Kindergarten through 3rd grade are preferred
• Knowledge of children's literature and a demonstrated passion for fostering a joyful reading culture.
• Proficiency in library management systems and related educational technologies.
• Understand developmentally appropriate practices related to information literacy, digital citizenship, and educational technology.
• Experience collaborating with faculty on interdisciplinary curriculum and project design.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and written communication skills

How to Apply:

About The Buckley School

The Buckley School in the City of New York is an independent day school for boys located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. The school has two divisions: Lower School (K-4) and Upper School (5-8 + Academy Year), with a current student body of 386 pupils and 114 faculty and staff members. The Head of School is Gregory J. O’Melia, the sixth head to be appointed since the school's founding in 1913. Buckley is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools, the New York State Association of Independent Schools and the International Boys’ Schools Coalition (IBSC). Additionally, it is a charter member of the Manhattan Private Middle School League and the Metropolitan Private Middle School Track and Field Association. The school's motto is “Honor et Veritas” (Honor and Truth). Its official seal is a shield.

Connections working at The Buckley School