Middle and Upper School Librarian
THE POSITION
The Park School is seeking a full-time Middle and Upper School Librarian (Grades 6-12) for the 2023-2024 academic year.
The Middle and Upper School librarian works within the combined Park School Libraries, which cover all Grades Pre-K-12, collaborates with faculty on projects and special events, and serves as a resource for teachers in curricular planning. The position contributes significantly to library planning and policymaking, and plays a significant role in collection development for the Middle and Upper School Library, helping to manage, grow, and maintain library collections that are relevant and useful to all users. Oversight of the Middle and Upper School Library includes both flexibly scheduled academic periods and open periods for Middle and Upper School students to work and interact.
Devoted to intellectual inquiry, a collaborative spirit of learning, and an appreciation for the diversity of human experience, The Park School of Baltimore is a community founded on positive expectations of our students and respect for individual differences.
We cultivate children’s innate curiosity by nurturing their interests and engaging them as active participants in their own education.
We support young people in becoming confident questioners and responsible citizens of the world.
The Park School is a non-sectarian, independent, coeducational day school of 845 students from Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12. Founded in 1912 as one of the early progressive schools, The Park School continues to practice a distinct educational philosophy. The core values today, as in 1912, are a belief in children’s capacity to love learning, to grow academically and emotionally when inspired by highly qualified, caring teachers, and to develop self-discipline, confidence, and creative problem-solving skills through deep exploration and constant challenge. At every grade level, from Pre-Kindergarten through Upper School, Park actively encourages questioning and conversation as essential elements of the learning process. The school philosophy emphasizes a belief in positive expectations and expects that students, as they mature, will take increasing responsibility for their own learning.
For Middle School, 6th Grade library classes meet regularly and may include giving book talks, teaching research skills and information literacy, and promoting independent reading for pleasure. In addition, the librarian works collaboratively with Language Arts faculty and Middle School students to create the Middle School summer reading list.
For Upper School, the librarian primarily supports independent reading and research across the curriculum, supporting classes at faculty request and meeting independently with students and faculty at their request.
Finally, it is the expectation that the Middle and Upper School Librarian involve themselves in student activities, clubs, and/or advising as a fully integrated member of the school community. This could also include running weekly Middle School Book Club meetings, regular Upper School Book Club meetings, and curating timely and relevant book displays throughout the library.
QUALIFICATIONS
Among the qualities and skills we are looking for in a candidate:
- Orientation to progressive philosophy and teaching methods
- M.L.S. Degree from an ALA accredited library school preferred, and/or extensive experience working in a 6-12 library setting
- Experience (3+ years) as a librarian for Middle and Upper School children, ages 10-18 preferred
- Broad knowledge of literature for young adults and beyond; strong belief in introducing young adults to high quality literature and promoting a life-long love of reading
- Excellent research and reference skills through a variety of online and other standard resources, and experience and ability teaching these skills to Middle and Upper School students
- Experience in selecting high quality resources for curricular, research, and recreation reading support
- Experience in selecting high quality literature that supports the school’s commitment to promoting an inclusive and diverse community
- Demonstrated skill in supporting and collaborating with teachers in identifying examples of literature and other resources across a variety of disciplines
- Ability to provide cross-coverage in a library that serves children from Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12
- Experience in and in-depth understanding of current technologies and methodologies that support school libraries
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills are required, especially in developing warm, trusting relationships with Middle and Upper School students, and in working collaboratively with a variety of Middle and Upper School teachers
- Candidates from diverse backgrounds and/or who have experience in cultural competency work are encouraged to apply
SALARY AND BENEFITS
Park salaries and benefits are competitive with those in other leading independent schools. For new appointments, salaries reflect experience and training equated to Park’s scales. In addition to normal retirement and health benefits, the school offers the following distinctive programs:
- Faculty & Curricular Advancement (FACA) Program: A $5.6 million endowed program, established in 1989, supports summer professional development work by faculty. This program provides full salary and benefits for work on group or individual projects. Approximately 40% of Park faculty participate in FACA projects each summer. Projects are selected through a formal, competitive review process.
- Tuition Remission: Under current policy, employees who have been employed at Park full-time for two years are eligible to receive full tuition remission for their children who attend Park. (Faculty children must meet the same standards for admission as all other applicants.) During the first two years of employment, faculty may apply for financial assistance through Park’s need-based tuition assistance program.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Due to the large volume of incoming résumés, we cannot accept phone calls. Send a letter of interest, personal statement, and résumé. Please indicate whether you plan to attend any national recruitment forums. Please also indicate whether there are any special circumstances that will affect the timing of your search, availability for interviews, and decisions for the coming year.
CONTACT
Priscilla Morales, Associate Head of School
The Park School
2425 Old Court Road
Baltimore, MD 21208
academicresources@parkschool.net
The Park School of Baltimore does not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, ancestry, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or any physical or mental disability unrelated to a reasonable performance of an employee’s duties.
COVID-19
Please note: Park School currently requires proof of COVID-19 vaccination, subject to legally required exemptions, as a condition of employment.