Librarian, Early Childhood

Job Information?

Job Summary:

The University of Chicago Laboratory Schools library program is designed to nurture children's love of literature and their enthusiasm for learning. The Early Childhood Librarian reports to the Early Childhood Principal and has day-to-day responsibilities for the operation of Lim Family Library. The librarian guides students in the library as they become skilled and effective library users, developing lifelong habits of reading, inquiry, curiosity, and creativity. Students also develop an appreciation of literature, learn to identify genres, and develop an understanding of their own reading preferences in library classes. The librarian takes a leadership role in the school by sharing their professional expertise with colleagues. The librarian assists teachers with curriculum development and works with other adults in the community (including parents, caregivers, etc.) to recommend appropriate reading materials for children. In addition the librarian takes a lead in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the School by opening minds through access to information and advocacy for intellectual freedom. The librarian will interact daily with students, parents, administrators, other faculty members, Extended Day staff, and other librarians within our schools.

Responsibilities:

• Maintains a student-centered, welcoming, and vibrant library environment that is conducive to active and participatory learning
• Provides one-on-one reference and readers’ advisory services throughout the day on a flexibly scheduled basis
• Teaches weekly scheduled library classes
• Conducts weekly oral storytelling sessions 
• Promotes a culture of reading in the Early Childhood through booktalks, annotated reading lists, displays, author visits, and reading promotion programs
• Envisions and manages library programs
• Develops and maintains a deep and diverse library collection to support classroom curricula and children’s pleasure reading
• Catalogs new materials
• Keeps current with trends in technology and their application in a school library setting 
• Promotes diversity, equity and inclusion in the school
• Attends school, department, grade level, and other committee meetings as required
• Participates in the life of the Early Childhood by engaging in activities such as chaperoning field trips and attending assemblies.

Competencies:  

• Ability to quickly adapt to changing circumstances and be flexible in work with students.

• Ability to interact with a diverse group of faculty, staff, students, and parents required.

• Knowledge of diversity, equity and inclusion issues, and dynamics in the classroom and in developing healthy, supportive relationships with all students.

• Strong knowledge of course subject matter required.

• Knowledge of instructional methodologies required.

• Strong knowledge of child development required.

• Ability to develop curricula, lesson plans, and assessment tools required.

• Analytical skills required.

• Problem-solving skills required.

• Decision-making skills required.

• Attention to detail required.

• Organizational skills required.

• Computational skills required.

• Creativity required.

• Verbal and written communication skills

• Interpersonal skills required.

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team required.

• Ability to manage stressful situations required.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality required.

• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously, set priorities, and meet deadlines required.

• Ability to use standard productivity software (Microsoft Office, calendar/schedule software, etc.)