Job Title
Library Media Specialist
Job Summary:
The Library Media Specialist plays a vital role in supporting students and staff by fostering a love of reading, promoting information literacy, and integrating technology into teaching and learning. This position provides instructional support in research skills, digital citizenship, and media literacy while managing library resources and digital tools. Additionally, the specialist collaborates with educators to incorporate technology into the curriculum, offers training on emerging educational technologies, and ensures equitable access to digital resources. By maintaining a dynamic and innovative learning environment, the Library Media Specialist enhances student engagement and prepares learners for success in a digital world.
Qualifications:
Professional Educator License (PEL) or eligibility for the appropriate license, with a Library Media or Technology Endorsement.
Evaluation:
This job's performance will be evaluated per provisions of the Board’s policy on the Evaluation of Staff.
Reports to:
Building Principal
Terms of Employment:
This is a 9-month position—salary and benefits established by the Board of Education. The position retains the Harvard Education Association membership and is part of the Collective Bargaining Unit.
Compensation and Benefits:
The details of employee compensation and benefits are comprehensively outlined in the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), a document accessible at the following link: https://www.cusd50.org/page/careers. This agreement is a valuable resource for individuals seeking comprehensive information regarding our organization's remuneration and benefits structure.
FLSA Status:
Exempt
Duties and Responsibilities:
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Facilitates student learning in alignment with the Illinois Learning Standards, integrating digital tools and resources to enhance instruction.
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Communicates essential questions to clarify learning goals for each lesson.
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Designs lessons using instructional strategies incorporating technology to engage all students in answering essential questions by the lesson’s conclusion.
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Incorporates Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization, and Reading (WICOR) strategies into daily lessons, ensuring rigorous and meaningful learning experiences.
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Develops lessons with diverse learning tasks, including at least one opportunity for whole-class verbal participation and interactive technology-based activities.
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Assesses student progress toward objectives, expectations, and goals, providing timely feedback to students, parents, and administration.
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Monitors and evaluates students' skills using data-driven assessments, technology-based tools, and formative feedback strategies.
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Creates and fosters supportive, student-centered classroom and library environments that promote personal empowerment, academic growth, and social-emotional well-being.
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Manages student behavior to maintain a safe, inclusive, and optimal learning space.
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Provides students with opportunities to collaborate with peers, engage in purposeful movement, and interact with diverse instructional strategies to ensure active, hands-on learning.
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Encourages students to interact thoughtfully with instructional resources, including print and digital materials, to support comprehension and long-term retention.
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Guides students in setting, monitoring, and reflecting on individualized learning goals, leveraging digital tools for goal tracking and self-assessment.
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Implements each student’s Individual Education Plan (IEP) as written and collaborates with colleagues to ensure appropriate accommodations and modifications.
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Supports students struggling with social-emotional and behavioral concerns through the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework.
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Promotes cultural diversity and appreciation within the curriculum through literature, media, and digital storytelling.
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Integrates technology into instruction, fostering digital literacy, responsible technology use, and 21st-century learning skills.
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Actively participates in professional learning communities, collaborating with educators, support staff, parents, and community partners to enhance student outcomes and align with the school improvement plan.
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Engages in professional development and training to stay current with educational technology trends, library science, and best practices in media literacy.
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Supports students in transitioning between grade levels by providing resources, research skills, and technology readiness activities.
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Works collaboratively with parents and community members to foster a culture of literacy and technology integration.
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Develops and manages a comprehensive school library media program that supports information literacy, digital citizenship, and technology-enhanced learning.
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Curates and maintains a balanced collection of print and digital resources aligned with curriculum needs and student interests.
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Administers the library budget, ensuring the effective allocation of funds for books, digital tools, and technology resources.
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Oversees and collaborates with Educational Support Staff assigned to the library, providing guidance in resource management and student engagement strategies.
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Creates and maintains a dynamic, student-friendly library environment that is accessible, safe, and conducive to both independent and collaborative learning.
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Maintains and schedules library spaces to accommodate students, staff, and school activities, ensuring equitable access for instructional use, meetings, and events.
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Promotes reading, information literacy, and research skills through book clubs, reading programs, technology-integrated activities, and special events.
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Instructs students and staff in media literacy, research strategies, and responsible technology use, including copyright, fair use, and digital ethics.
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Manages library collections and student technology devices, maintaining detailed records of inventory, usage, and accessibility.
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Collaborates with other libraries, librarians, and educational agencies to expand access to resources, digital tools, and instructional best practices.
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Performs other duties as assigned by the principal or designee based on evolving school needs.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
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Must demonstrate a record of effectiveness in their teaching
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Must have excellent planning and organization skills
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Must have the ability to work collaboratively with others
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Must have strong verbal communication skills
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Must model a desire and willingness to learn continually
Physical Demands:
The physical demands of this position include frequent sitting and standing for extended periods. Repetitive bending at the waist and kneeling, stooping, and crouching to assist students are also required. Regularly walk, talk, hear, operate a computer, hand-held learning devices, and other office equipment, reach with hands and arms, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.
ADA:
The employer will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. This job description will be reviewed periodically as duties and responsibilities change with business necessity. Essential and marginal job functions are subject to modification.
This job description is intended to describe minimum qualifications, duties, and responsibilities performed by employees assigned to this position and is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The District reserves the right to amend and change the position responsibilities to meet District needs as necessary.
