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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Provides reference and research support to students and employees using age-appropriate print, digital, and multimedia resources.
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Differentiates instruction and resource access to support students with varying developmental, language, learning, accessibility, and research needs.
Montessori, IB, and Curriculum Partnership
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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.
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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.
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Advances international mindedness by ensuring access to credible information about global issues and a range of cultural, geographic, historical, and contemporary perspectives.
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Participates in relevant faculty, division, curriculum, and IB planning meetings when library expertise or resource planning is needed.
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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
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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.
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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.
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Works closely with Division Directors, IB coordinators, and faculty to identify purchasing priorities and allocate available resources across divisions.
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Researches, selects, acquires, catalogs, classifies, processes, and promotes library resources in accordance with professional standards and School procedures.
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Maintains the online catalog, circulation records, inventory controls, and meaningful usage data; produces reports that inform planning, budgeting, and collection decisions.
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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.
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Manages donations and gifts in accordance with approved collection standards and the School’s needs.
Policy Development, Intellectual Freedom, and Responsible Use
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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.
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Applies established selection and reconsideration procedures consistently, documenting decisions and consulting appropriate School leaders when concerns arise.
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Balances intellectual freedom, the School’s mission, developmental appropriateness, educational value, parent concerns, applicable law, and professional standards when evaluating resources.
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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
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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.
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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.
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Provides students and employees with instruction and support in the effective, responsible, and ethical use of research databases, digital collections, and emerging technologies.
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Assesses the accessibility of print and digital resources and recommends reasonable alternatives or supports when needed.
Program Leadership, Budget, and Community Engagement
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Develops and administers the library budget, maintains accurate purchasing records, monitors expenditures, and recommends priorities based on program needs and available resources.
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Establishes annual program goals and uses circulation, instruction, collection, engagement, and resource-usage data to evaluate and improve library services.
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Plans and executes library programs and events, which may include the book fair, author visits, reading initiatives, parent education, and community partnerships.
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Communicates regularly with students, families, faculty, and School leaders about resources, services, expectations, and opportunities for engagement.
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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
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Supervises the Library Assistant and coordinates library volunteers, including work assignment, scheduling, training, coaching, performance feedback, and compliance with School procedures.
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Participates in the selection and evaluation of library employees, as applicable, in partnership with the supervisor and Human Resources.
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Establishes efficient workflows for circulation, shelving, cataloging, inventory, acquisitions, student supervision, and daily library operations.
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Maintains a welcoming, orderly, inclusive, safe, and developmentally appropriate environment for learners from Toddler through grade 12.
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Completes required CPR and first-aid certification upon hire if not already certified and maintains certification as required by the School.
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Follows the Employee Handbook, safeguarding expectations, and all other School policies and procedures.
MARGINAL FUNCTIONS
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Completes state-mandated bus driver training and drives an Alcuin bus on field trips when required
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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.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Required:
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Ability to provide documents verifying authorization to work in the U.S.
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Must pass Criminal Background Checks and Drug Testing
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Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
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At least five years of progressively responsible experience in a school, academic, public, or youth-services library, or a combination of library and closely related instructional experience that provides the knowledge and skills required for the role.
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Demonstrated experience teaching or facilitating learning for children and adolescents across multiple developmental levels.
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Working knowledge of collection development, cataloging and classification, research instruction, circulation practices, and library-management systems.
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Demonstrated ability to evaluate resources for accuracy, educational value, developmental appropriateness, global representation, accessibility, and alignment with curriculum and mission.
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Ability to collaborate effectively with faculty and administrators across multiple divisions, disciplines, and educational programs and to navigate competing priorities constructively.
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Strong written, verbal, presentation, organizational, project-management, and interpersonal skills.
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Proficiency with Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, research databases, digital resources, and contemporary educational technology.
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Ability to exercise sound professional judgment, maintain confidentiality, manage sensitive resource concerns, and communicate respectfully with students, families, and colleagues.
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Demonstrated commitment to Alcuin School’s mission and willingness to learn and support Montessori philosophy, IB principles, international-mindedness, and the developmental needs of learners from Toddler through grade 12.
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CPR and first-aid certification, or ability to obtain required certification promptly after hire.
Preferred:
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Master of Library and Information Science from an American Library Association-accredited program or a closely related graduate degree.
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School librarian certification or comparable professional preparation.
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Experience in an independent school or a school serving early childhood through grade 12.
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Experience with Montessori education, the IB Middle Years Programme, or the IB Diploma Programme.
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Experience supporting the Extended Essay, Personal Project, or comparable long-form student research.
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Experience developing a coordinated information-literacy, media-literacy, digital-citizenship, or responsible-AI curriculum.
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Experience developing collection-development and challenged-material procedures.
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Supervisory, volunteer-management, and budget-management experience.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY
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Supervises the Library Assistant and library volunteers
INTERNAL CONTACTS
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Head of School
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Division Directors
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IB coordinators
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Faculty and specialty guides
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Library Assistant
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Technology team
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Students
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Other School employees
EXTERNAL CONTACTS
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Parents and guardians
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Authors and presenters
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Publishers
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Database and library-system providers
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Book-fair vendors
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Community partners
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Professional library organizations
EQUIPMENT USED
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Computers, laptops, tablets, phones
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Printers, copiers, fax
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Audio/Visual technology – projectors, TVs/screens, and microphones
JOB CONDITIONS
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Works primarily in an on-campus library serving students from Toddler through grade 12 in a setting that may include frequent movement, conversation, interruptions, and changing instructional demands.
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Regularly uses computers, library systems, mobile devices, audiovisual equipment, printers, scanners, and other standard educational technology.
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May occasionally work outside normal hours for book fairs, author visits, parent programs, or other School events.
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Physical demands and environmental conditions will be documented in the School’s standard physical-demands tables before final approval.
ABOUT ALCUIN SCHOOL
Alcuin School, one of the largest accredited Montessori schools in the U.S., along with the International Baccalaureate Middle Years and Diploma Programs, provides an ideal learning environment that guides and nurtures the full development of the child from 18 months to 18 years of age. Alcuin School is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All persons will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender (including gender identity, gender expression and gender reassignment), race (including color, nationality, ethnic or national origin), religion or belief, marital or civil partnership status, disability, age, sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity, trade union membership or membership in any other legally protected category. We strive to create an inclusive environment, empower employees, and embrace diversity. We encourage everyone to respond.
