Teacher Library Media Specialist
Job Description
Wissahickon Charter School is looking for a Library Media Specialist for the 2023-24 school year. The Library Media Specialist manages all aspects of maintaining the school library, including prioritizing book purchasing, running book drives, organizing materials, and continuing to implement library processes and protocols. The Library Media Specialist also teaches research and library skills to students across grades K-8. The ideal candidate will have education and work experience in Library Science, preferably in an urban school setting. This is an outstanding opportunity to grow readers and enrich the lives of students.
Key Responsibilities
Library Management
- Works with the on-site leadership team and administrative staff to identify, prioritize, and purchase library materials.
- Plans and executes book drives and organizes materials collected.
- Organizes library material, equipment, and facilities for effective and efficient utilization and circulation.
- Plans, equips and maintains attractive facilities.
- Sets up and maintains the library catalog.
- Trains staff on library processes and procedures and follows up regularly.
- Keeps the collection current within the constraints of the annual budget by purchasing quality print and non-print materials.
- Establishes an attractive and easily accessible library that is conducive to learning.
- Effectively utilizes clerical, volunteer, student and/or other personnel to provide quality library service to users.
- Maintains appropriate records of library materials.
- Establishes behavioral standards for students in the library.
- Evaluates and selects materials needed to meet both the curricular and individual needs of students, teachers, and administrators who will be using the library.
- Determines the needs of teachers and students as a basis for the selection of new materials and equipment.
- Does a periodic inventory of library collection as well as library AV equipment and library computers.
- Supervises the withdrawal of outdated and worn out materials.
Teaching
- Assists students in becoming effective users of library resources.
- Helps students develop habits of independent reference work and skills in the use of reference material related to school assignments.
- Through a working knowledge of books and authors in the collection, assists students with reading selections.
- Is aware of and supports the curriculum through collection development.
- Provides leadership in all aspects of the school media program.
- Develops a research and library skills program related to the needs of the students.
- Guides students in finding and using a wide variety of materials.
- Instill in students the ability to be motivated learners by promoting the spirit of inquiry and teaching effective fact-finding skills.
- Plans with teachers, when appropriate, for meaningful and effective grade appropriate reference work and/or literature appreciation activities for their students.
- Actively plans with teachers and groups of teachers to integrate library services and multimedia materials with the instructional program.
- Creates lessons and learning environments that are safe, respectful, and interesting.
- Selects, adapts and individualizes materials appropriate for diverse student populations, skills and learning styles.
- Follow all requirements regarding lesson planning.
- Is aware of students’ IEP components when necessary. Implements specially designed instruction and provides for IEP goals when appropriate.
- Works with the supervisor to determine appropriate modes of assessing student outcomes and engagement in class, and grades students.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree required, Masters in Library Science preferred.
- PA Library Media Specialist Certificate a plus
- At least three years of experience running a library, preferably in a school setting.s
- Passionate about growing readers and creating a culture of reading.
- Ability to relate to a diverse population of students and families.
- A desire to teach and the ability to implement strong classroom management and engaging lessons.
- High level of personal organization, attention to detail, planning, and follow-through.
- Strong oral and written communication skills and the ability to effectively communicate with students, families, colleagues and supervisors.
- Process-driven with proven experience multi-tasking, organizing and prioritizing work in a fast-paced environment.
- Advanced proficiency in computer skills, including the Google Suite and Google Classroom, and the ability to learn new programs/software quickly.
- Collaborative work style; maturity, humility, and a sense of humor.
- Self-directed, proactive and a problem solver.
- High degree of professionalism and positivity.
- Ability to work occasional weeknights and weekends for special events.
- All required FBI & PA clearances
- A commitment to honest and open dialogue about race, equity and bias in our school systems and relationships
- Interest in the mission of Wissahickon Charter School, and a belief that all children can learn
About Wissahickon Charter School
Wissahickon Charter School’s first and current campus, Fernhill, opened in 2002 and serves 480 K-8 students from across Philadelphia. Our second K-8 campus, Awbury, opened in the fall of 2014. The mission of Wissahickon Charter School (WCS) is to provide a community of learning that stimulates and builds the child’s intellectual, social, and character development. Wissahickon Charter Schools are planned around three essential elements: an environmental focus that allows students to experience the curriculum, recognition of service learning projects as key in students’ success, and an emphasis on parents as partners in the learning experiences of their children.
