Position: Library Media Specialist, Grades 9-12

Cambridge Rindge & Latin School

Overview:

The Library Media Specialist (LMS) works in a team with another professional LMS and a paraprofessional support person to provide library services to the students of a large urban public high school. Information literacy and research skills instruction is provided through collaborative planning and implementation of lessons with classroom teachers. The LMS is an integral member of the faculty and participates in department level curriculum planning.

Under the supervision of the Principal and the Assistant Director of Library Media Services, the Library Media Specialist will work:

• To align the School Library Program (SLP) with the mission, goals, and objectives of the school / school district
• To collaborate with classroom teachers to design and implement units of instruction, assess student learning
• To ensure that students and staff are effective users of ideas and information
• To empower students to be critical thinkers, enthusiastic readers, skillful researchers, ethical users and producers of information
• To instill a love of learning in all students and ensure equitable access to information

Roles and Responsibilities

Teacher:

• Collaborates with classroom teachers as partners in the instructional process to develop and implement research lessons and units that incorporate inquiry learning, information literacy, critical thinking and self-assessment
• Evaluates, promotes and uses existing and emerging technologies to support teaching and learning
• Promotes a love of reading and lifelong learning through Reader’s Advisory, ‘book talks’ to classes, attractive book displays, online promotion and engaging bibliographies
• Provides and plans professional development

Leader:

• Collects and analyzes data to improve instruction; demonstrates correlations between the SLP and student achievement
• Serves on decision making teams, school improvement and accreditation activities; presenting at meetings
• Advocates for SLP through an effective public relations program
• Benchmarks the SLP to school, state, and national standards
• Stays current in professional practices, educational research; maintains active professional memberships
• Participates in the recruiting, hiring, training and supervising of library staff and volunteers; evaluates support staff
• Administers the SLP budget to support program goals

School Librarian:

• Fosters a creative, flexible environment so that the school library is an essential part of the learning community
• Develops and maintains a resource collection appropriate to the curriculum, the learners, and the instructional strategies of the school community
• Maintains an organized and welcoming facility that helps students become independent users of the library.
• Maintains SLP webpage
• Promotes the ethical use of information
• Provides resources that promote independent reading and writing in a variety of genres
• Coordinates and supports special events and programs such as: CRLS One School, One Story, Black History Month speakers, guest authors and illustrators
• Cooperates and networks with other libraries/agencies

Your Skill Set:

As the incoming Library Media Specialist, you will possess many, though perhaps not all, of the following characteristics and qualifications:

• MA State certification as a School Library Media Specialist required.
• Completion of a teacher preparation program/educational degree preferred, Bachelor’s Degree required.
• At least three years of teaching experience or equivalent in the field of school library science preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Experience in an urban setting is highly desirable.
• Strong background in young adult literature.
• Familiarity with automated library system; proficiency with technology tools.
• Excellent leadership, communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.

Cambridge Public Schools is committed to slowing and/or stopping the spread of COVID-19. Therefore, as a condition of employment with Cambridge Public Schools, all new hires will be required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 no later than their first day of work. Written requests for either a religious exemption from this requirement based on sincerely held religious beliefs, or for a medical exemption based upon clear documentation from a medical provider should be submitted to the attention of the Chief Talent Officer.

How to Join Our Team:

Please upload a resume and thoughtful cover letter, outlining how your skills and experience meet the qualifications of the position and stating how you heard about this opportunity.

At the Cambridge Public Schools, we are committed to cultivating an environment where diverse perspectives and backgrounds are embraced, acknowledging that a team reflecting diversity of race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, age, gender, marital/domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, and veteran status allows us to serve our communities better. To that end, we welcome and encourage applicants to bring their authentic selves when considering employment opportunities within our school district.