Position Start Date:  2023-2024 school year

About MICDS

MICDS has a rich and distinctive history spanning more than 150 years. A leader in independent education, MICDS is a college-prep, coeducational school for grades JK-12. Our mission is to help students discover their unique talents, preparing them for higher education and a life of purpose and service as engaged citizens in our ever-changing world.

Employee Benefits

MICDS offers employees a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits plan, including a generous 403(b) retirement plan where the School contributes 8% of salary with an employee’s 3% contribution; medical, dental and vision insurance; flexible spending accounts and long term care insurance; life insurance and short-term and long-term disability insurances; tuition benefit; paid leaves; access to a fitness center; and free lunch.

Application Process

For immediate consideration, complete our online application at https://www.applitrack.com/micds/onlineapp and upload a copy of your cover letter, resume,  and statement of teaching philosophy.

JOB SUMMARY

Under the direction of the Head of Middle School, the Middle School Librarian ensures that students and faculty are effective users of ideas and information.  The Librarian will instill a love of learning and empower students to be critical thinkers, enthusiastic readers, skillful researchers, and ethical users of information.  In this role, the Librarian will collaborate with classroom teachers and specialists to design and implement lessons and units of instruction, and assess student learning and instructional effectiveness.  The Librarian will provide the leadership and expertise necessary to ensure that the school library program is aligned with the mission, goals, and objectives of the school. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Leader

• Takes an active role in school improvements and accreditation activities.

• Benchmarks the library program to school, cohort, state and national standards

• Creates an environment that is conducive to active and participatory learning, resource-based instructional practices, and collaboration with teaching staff.

• Shares with the learning community collaboratively developed and up-to-date policies concerning such issues as materials selection, circulation, reconsideration of materials, copyright, privacy, acceptable use, and ethical use of information.

• Remains current in professional practices and developments, information technologies, and educational research applicable to school library programs.

• Advocates for the school library programs and the guiding principles of the school library profession; the school librarian is an active, accessible, and informed proponent of the school library profession. 

• Demonstrates a commitment to maintaining intellectual freedom and promoting the ethical use of information.

Information Specialist

• Functions as an information leader within the school by providing staff development opportunities on the use of information resources and integration of information literacy skills, and serves as a faculty resource on library-related issues such as copyright and intellectual freedom.

• Selects, purchases, and processes information resources in all formats to develop a current and balanced collection representing diverse points of view in accordance with the materials selection policy. 

• Evaluates, promotes, and uses existing and emerging technologies to support teaching and learning, supplement school resources, connect the school with the global learning community, communicate with students and teachers, and provide 24/7 access to library services. This includes developing and maintaining the library website to promote information resources and the library program.

• Actively promotes reading and library use through such activities as readers’ advisory, bibliographies, booktalks, displays, publications, reading programs, and special events.

Instructional Partner/Teacher

• Works with faculty to build and strengthen connections between student information and research needs, curricular content, learning outcomes, and information resources.

• Collaborates with classroom teachers and specialists to design and implement lessons and units of instruction, to teach engaging inquiry and learning experiences that incorporate multiple literacies, to foster critical thinking, and to assess student learning and instructional effectiveness.

• Provides group and individual instruction in information literacy skills, research strategies, and use of resources and equipment.

• Promotes attitudes, habits, and skills that will enable the school community members to become lifelong readers and learners as well as encourages reading for understanding, for exposure to diversity of viewpoints and genres, and for pleasure.

• Works with students to constructively assess their own learning and the work of their peers by becoming their own best critics.

Program Administrator

• Establishes yearly and long-term goals for the library program aligned with the school’s mission and strategic plan and documents evidence of progress towards those goals.

• Manages the daily operation of the middle school library program, including acquisitions, collection development, cataloging, deselection, inventory and statistical records.

• Develops policies and procedures in collaboration with the other librarians to assure efficient and cohesive operation and services.  

• Prepares, justifies, and administers the school library program budget to support specific program goals.

• Participates in relevant committees, including those involving curriculum development and technology use.

• Maintains active memberships in professional associations and updates instructional and library-related professional skills by attending conferences, participating in continuing education opportunities, and networking with other professionals. 

• Participates in the recruiting, hiring and training of support staff such as library assistant, parent volunteers and student assistants as well as ongoing supervision and evaluation of roles.

Community Member/Advisor

As a fully integrated member of the middle school community, the school librarian may serve on a grade level advisory team, contribute to school events, participate in committee work, coordinate student activities, or perform supervisory or other duties as needed.

JOB REQUIREMENTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Master’s in Library Science or Library and Information Science (MLS/MLIS) from a graduate library program accredited by the American Library Association.

• At least three year’s library/teaching experience.

• Must enjoy working with middle school students in grades 5-8.

• Participates willingly in the life of the School beyond the classroom.

• Experience working in a one-to-one laptop environment or relevant technology skills.

• Ability to work in an environment that embraces a diverse community of students, educators, parents, and alums.

OTHER INFORMATION

• A criminal history and background check is required and must be successfully completed prior to employment.

• Generally, works in standard office conditions and climate.

• May work at a desk and computer for extended periods of time.

• Duties require extended periods of standing, walking, sitting, and talking or hearing.

• Requires the ability to regularly lift more than 20 pounds. ‘

• Duties require occasional periods of climbing or balancing, pulling/pushing items, lifting/carrying items, keyboarding, reaching with hands and arms, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling.

• Vision requirements include close vision and ability to adjust focus.

• Must be able to transport oneself to work-related meetings, workshops, conferences, etc.

• Other projects and responsibilities may be added at the School’s discretion.

About MICDS - Mary Institute and St. Louis Country Day School (Saint Louis, MO)

Founded in 1859, MICDS is a nonprofit, independent, preparatory school offering non-sectarian education to qualified students regardless of national origin, race or religion. MICDS consists of the Ronald S. Beasley Lower School, for grades Junior Kindergarten-4; Middle School, offering a coordinate model of single-gender education in the core curricular classes, for students in grades 5-8; and the Upper School for grades 9-12. MICDS is recognized as one of the nation's leaders in independent education.

Connections working at MICDS - Mary Institute and St. Louis Country Day School (Saint Louis, MO)