Library Media Specialist; grades K, 7th & 8th

Position Summary

The School Library Media Specialist serves as a dynamic educator, instructional partner, information specialist, and program administrator. This unique position bridges foundational learning in Kindergarten with the critical, transitional academic and social-emotional development of 7th and 8th graders. The Library Media Specialist fosters a lifelong love of reading, equips students with 21st-century information literacy, and digital citizenship skills, and maintains a diverse, inclusive collection.

The successful candidate ensures that the library program serves as an essential instructional hub aligned with the New York State (NYS) Learning Standards and the NYS Culturally Responsive‑Sustaining (CR‑S) Education Framework.

• Library Management & Collection Development
• Technology Integration
• Literacy Promotion & Culture

• Instructional Leadership & Information Literacy
• Targeted K & 7-8 Pedagogy:
  Design and deliver engaging, age-appropriate instruction
  • For Kindergarten, focus on foundational literacy, print awareness, read‑alouds, and an introduction to library organization (e.g., distinguishing between fiction and the Dewey Decimal non-fiction sections using visual aids).
  • For 7th and 8th Grade, emphasize advanced research, critical thinking, evaluation of media bias, and ethical use of information.
• Information Organization Instruction:
  Teach middle school students how to independently navigate the library media center using the Dewey Decimal System, online public access catalogs (OPAC), and digital database structures to locate research materials.
• Curriculum
  
  Collaboration:
  
  Partner with classroom teachers (specifically Kindergarten teams and 7th/8th-grade core subject teachers) to design, teach, and assess cross‑curricular units that integrate information and technology literacy.
• NYS Standards Integration:
  Implement inquiry-based learning models aligned with the NYS Next Generation English Language Arts Standards and the ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education) standards.
• Digital Citizenship:
  Teach critical safety, privacy, and ethical standards regarding artificial intelligence, cyberbullying, online identity, and digital footprints to middle school students.
• Collection Organization:
  Categorize, arrange, and maintain all non-fiction library resources utilizing the Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) system to ensure a logical, standardized, and highly accessible physical environment.
• Diverse Collection Curation:
  Select, acquire, and maintain a robust collection of print, digital, and multimedia resources that reflect a diverse global society and support the local curriculum.
• Cataloging & Circulation:
  Manage the Integrated Library System (ILS) for cataloging (including assigning appropriate Dewey Decimal numbers and subject headings), inventorying, and circulating materials. Ensure the physical and digital space is accessible, welcoming, and organized.
• Budgeting:
  Formulate and administer the school library budget, aligning expenditures with the instructional goals of the building.
• Digital Hub Leadership:
  Maintain the school library website/portal, ensuring students and staff have 24/7 access to high-quality databases (e.g., NOVELNY resources), e‑books, and digital research tools.
• Tech Support & Innovation:
  Assist students and staff in navigating educational technology, online databases, and productivity tools, fostering a tech-rich learning environment.
• Reading Advocacy:
  Cultivate a culture of reading through book talks, reading incentive programs, author visits, and collaborative literacy events (e.g., Parents as Reading Partners).
• Inclusivity:
  Maintain a safe, supportive, and stimulating environment that welcomes all students and honors individual backgrounds in accordance with the NYS CR‑S framework.
• Master’s Degree:
  Master of Library Science (MLS), Master of Science in Library and Information Studies (MLIS), or an equivalent NYSED-approved graduate program from an accredited institution.
• NYS Teacher Certification:
  Must hold or be eligible for a valid New York State Teacher Certification as a School Media Specialist (Library) or Library Media Specialist (Initial or Professional).

Salary: $45,000.00 – $50,000.00

Appointment Status:
Permanent

Position Status:
Part-time

Contact:
Denise Terrell, Chief Operating Officer. Phone: 716‑888‑4080. Email: (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).