List Detail
Library Media Specialist
To Apply
Email your resume and cover letter to libraryjob@anconaschool.org
About The Ancona School
At Ancona, we seek diversity in our faculty and staff to broaden students’ academic experiences and to enrich our school community. Ancona is looking for individuals who will contribute to our social justice mission and embrace the rich diversity of our school and city as we prepare our students for an increasingly complex world. Candidates must be sensitive to the needs of, and possess an interest in, working in a school community that is diverse with regard to gender, race, ethnicity, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and disability status.
Summary/Objective
This is an on-site, full-time (exempt), year-round position.
The Library Media Specialist leads the school's library program and serves as a key educator for students ages three through 8th grade. This role blends traditional librarianship with modern instruction, fostering both a love of reading and essential digital literacy skills. The Library Media Specialist is responsible for designing and teaching a curriculum covering traditional literacy, research skills, and digital citizenship. The position operates cross-functionally to support educational technology (e.g., coordinating technology instruction, technology enrichment projects, and technology integrations with classroom units of study). As a 12-month employee, the role will also develop and lead media/technology enrichment projects during Ancona’s summer program.
Email your resume and cover letter to libraryjob@anconaschool.org
About The Ancona School
The Ancona School (Ancona) is an independent school located in Chicago's historic Hyde Park Kenwood community, educating students 3 years old through 8th grade. Since our founding in 1962, Ancona has been dedicated to diversity in both our community and our curriculum, which draws upon the Montessori and Progressive Education models. Social justice education is the cornerstone of Ancona’s mission as a school; it informs what we teach and how we teach it. At every grade level, Ancona students learn to identify inequality and are empowered to address injustice in the world.
At Ancona, we seek diversity in our faculty and staff to broaden students’ academic experiences and to enrich our school community. Ancona is looking for individuals who will contribute to our social justice mission and embrace the rich diversity of our school and city as we prepare our students for an increasingly complex world. Candidates must be sensitive to the needs of, and possess an interest in, working in a school community that is diverse with regard to gender, race, ethnicity, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and disability status.
Summary/Objective
This is an on-site, full-time (exempt), year-round position.
The Library Media Specialist leads the school's library program and serves as a key educator for students ages three through 8th grade. This role blends traditional librarianship with modern instruction, fostering both a love of reading and essential digital literacy skills. The Library Media Specialist is responsible for designing and teaching a curriculum covering traditional literacy, research skills, and digital citizenship. The position operates cross-functionally to support educational technology (e.g., coordinating technology instruction, technology enrichment projects, and technology integrations with classroom units of study). As a 12-month employee, the role will also develop and lead media/technology enrichment projects during Ancona’s summer program.
Essential Functions
Library Instruction (Early Childhood – 8th Grade)
Library Instruction (Early Childhood – 8th Grade)
- Design and deliver an engaging, comprehensive, and developmentally-appropriate library program for students ages 3 through 8th grade that aligns with Ancona’s progressive, social justice-based curriculum.
- Foster a student-centered library environment that promotes a lifelong love of reading and literature (e.g., readers’ advisory, readalouds, etc.)
- Equip students with the skills to critically find, evaluate, and use information effectively (e.g., navigating databases, evaluating sources, and information ethics).
- Evaluate, promote, and use existing and emerging technologies to support teaching and learning.
- Collaborate with classroom teachers to design and implement lessons that empower students to be critical thinkers, thoughtful technology users, and ethical users of information (e.g., digital citizenship, safe and responsible use of online tools, navigating social media, understanding the ethics of AI, and identifying misinformation).
- Coordinate instruction of basic educational technology skills, including typing, device operation, software use, and basic coding.
- Develop and lead media/technology enrichment projects during Ancona’s summer camp program.
Library & Media Center Management
- Manage all daily operations of the school library, creating a modern, welcoming, inclusive, and vibrant hub for learning.
- Oversee collection development, including the selection, acquisition, cataloging, and weeding of both print and digital resources to ensure that the collection represents diverse cultures, experiences, and viewpoints.
- Manage the library budget, circulation system (Alexandria), and scheduling of the library space.
Technology & Administrative Support
- Collaborate with the Director of Technology & Operations to support ed-tech initiatives, provide faculty and student support and training, and support essential technology preparations over the summer (e.g., student/faculty account setup, device updates, etc.)
This job description provides a general overview of the role and is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Additional tasks may be assigned as needed to support the school’s mission and operations.
Qualifications
Qualifications
Education and Experience
- Master's degree in Library Science from an ALA-accredited program (preferred), or a Master's in Educational Technology or related field; a valid teaching certificate is strongly preferred.
- Knowledge of children’s and middle-grade literature, including fiction, nonfiction, and graphic novels
- Strong background in education technology; ability to teach information literacy, research skills, and digital citizenship. Proficient in school library catalog systems (Alexandria preferred)
Teaching and Instruction
- Leading learning experiences with multiple age groups (P3-8th grade) and supporting students with different literacy levels and learning needs required; independent school experience preferred
- Experience designing engaging lessons that integrate reading, inquiry, and media skills
- Strong classroom management skills
- Ability to collaborate with classroom teachers to support curriculum and research projects
Technology and Media Literacy:
- Strong technical aptitude and ability to learn new technology; Mac OS, ChromeOS, and Google Apps for Education experience required
- Ability to teach foundational tech skills, responsible tech use, online safety, research, and information evaluation
- Capacity to run or support audiovisual equipment and creative digital tools
Community, Organizational, and Administrative
- Passion for creating a diverse and inclusive library environment where all students are welcome and represented
- Strong collaboration and communication (oral and written) skills
- Ability to create an engaging, welcoming, and inclusive library space
- Experience with budgeting, purchasing books/resources, inventory, and other library management duties
This is a full-time position offering a salary range of $60,000-$62,000 and a benefits package including medical and dental insurance; tuition remission; professional development opportunities; and an employer-matched retirement plan.
EEO Statement
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Affiliations
Independent Schools Association of the Central States
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Affiliations
Lake Michigan Association of Independent Schools
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Affiliations
National Association of Independent Schools
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Affiliations
American Montessori Society
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