Department
11420 Lab Academic Divisions & Departments

About the Unit
The University of Chicago Laboratory Schools provides one of the world's most outstanding pre-collegiate educational experiences. Because Lab is part of the University of Chicago, the importance of intellectual life-of thought and exploration-infuses all aspects of our curriculum and students in every grade benefit from outstanding UChicago academicians and access to unmatched resources. John Dewey-one of the great minds in education-established the Schools in 1896 as a place to explore and implement his theories on childhood education. Today's students still benefit from his vision, and today's Lab faculty are recognized as experienced leaders in their field. Families who choose Lab care deeply about curiosity, inquiry, and creativity. Approximately 60 percent of Lab families are affiliated with the University, half live in Hyde Park, and the rest come from across Chicago, the suburbs, and northern Indiana. Lab's student body reflects the diversity that is deeply valued by the Schools and its community; approximately half of our 2,000 students are people of color and families report speaking nearly 40 different languages in their homes. The Laboratory Schools seek the finest employees-people who wish to inspire a love of learning in our students and join a vibrant learning community. We employ people with a wide range of skills and training, in many different disciplines. At Lab, we value learning experientially, exhibiting kindness, and honoring diversity. We seek employees who share a similar commitment to these values. Lab people are engaged and excited by our mission of igniting and nurturing an enduring spirit of scholarship, curiosity, creativity, and confidence in the youngest members of the University of Chicago's academic community. The Laboratory Schools is a great place to work and our connection to the University provides our faculty and staff with opportunities that would be nearly impossible to match in any other environment. Interested candidates should apply via our website at: http://www.ucls.uchicago.edu/about-lab/employment AA/EOE Statement: The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination. Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-834-1841 or by email talentacquisition@uchicago.edu with their request. Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities associated with it.

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 investigating the existing body of knowledge on any given subject of interest. The Middle School Librarian reports to the Middle School Principal and has day-to-day responsibilities for the operation of Rowley Middle School Library. The librarian guides students in the Middle School as they become skilled and effective library users, developing lifelong habits of reading, inquiry, curiosity, and creativity. Students learn to locate, navigate, and evaluate sources as they engage in project-based research coordinated by classroom subject area teachers. The librarian instructs students in critically evaluating print and internet resources, developing strategies for effective internet searches, and identifying and recording citational information. Students in the Middle School also develop an appreciation of writing styles and oral storytelling, identify genres, and develop an understanding of their own reading preferences through librarian-sponsored programs. The Middle School Librarian empowers students to be critical thinkers, enthusiastic readers, skillful researchers, and ethical users of information. Additionally, the librarian takes a leadership role in the school by sharing their expertise with colleagues. The librarian helps assist adults in the Middle School community with professional development research and 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, other faculty members, and other librarians within our schools.
Responsibilities:

• Maintains a student-centered, welcoming, and vibrant library environment that is conducive to active and participatory learning.
  
• Instructs students in media & information literacy, research skills, and digital citizenship.
  
• Provides one-to-one reference and readers' advisory services throughout the day on a flexibly scheduled basis, as well as during scheduled classroom visits.
  
• Promotes a culture of reading in the Middle School through booktalks, annotated reading lists, displays, author visits, and reading promotion programs.
  
• Envisions and manages library programs.
  
• Keeps current with trends in technology and their application in a school library setting .
  
• Collaborates with teachers to prepare integrated lesson plans and schedule space.
  
• Coordinates with librarians to develop the library's print and electronic collections to ensure equitable access to a diverse array of literature and research resources.
  
• Collaborates with faculty, particularly librarians, across divisions to develop programming that engages the Lower, Middle, and High School communities.
  
• Promotes diversity, equity and inclusion in the school.
  
• Works with members of other departments, such as the Director of Innovation and Technology, to provide leadership in topics like educational technology.
  
• Provides original and copy cataloging as needed.
  
• Attends school, department, grade level, and other committee meetings as required.
  
• Participates in the life of the Middle School by engaging in activities such as chaperoning field trips, attending assemblies, and sponsoring clubs.
  

Competencies:

• Demonstrable comfort with technology and information literacy required.
• Knowledge of instructional methodologies 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.
• Mental flexibility required.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills required.
• Interpersonal skills required.
• Ability to work independently and collegially 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 hear and monitor students in the library required.
• Ability to use standard productivity software (e.g., Microsoft Office, calendars, etc.) required.
• Budget management skills preferred.
• Experience in a Macintosh environment preferred.

Additional Requirements
Education, Experience or Certifications:

Education:

• Master's degree in library and information science from an ALA-accredited school required.
• Emphasis in school librarianship preferred.

Experience:

• Demonstrable expertise with middle-grade and young adult literature required.
• Prior experience teaching age-appropriate research and media literacy skills preferred.
• Librarians with 2-5 years of professional experience working with adolescents preferred.

Working Conditions: and Physical Requirements:

• Standard office environment.
• Ability to work in a moderate dust environment.
• Ability to climb stairs up to 2 stories.
  
• Ability to stand for up to 2 hours.
• Ability to stand for 2 hours to 4 hours.
• Ability to walk around the building during the school day and climb stairs to escort children in and out of the building during let out and in the event of an emergency required.
• Ability to carry or lift loads of up to 25lbs.
• Ability to push/pull objects of up to 25lbs.
• Ability to sit for 2 hours or more.
• Ability to sit for 4 hours or more.
• Ability to be agile and flexible required.

Required Documents:

• Resume
• Cover letter
• References

NOTE: When applying, all required documents MUST be uploaded under the Resume/CV section of the application

Benefit Eligibility
Yes

Pay Frequency

Pay Range
Depends on Qualifications

Scheduled Weekly Hours
40

Union
000- American Federation of Teachers , Local 2063

Job is Exempt?
Yes

Drug Test Required?
No

Does this position require incumbent to operate a vehicle on the job?
No

Health Screen Required?
No

Posting Date
2019-01-02-08:00

Remove from Posting On or Before
2019-07-02-07:00

Posting Statement:
The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity /Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form .

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu . Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.