Early Childhood Librarian

Department ​
 
Lab School Early Childhood

About the Department

​

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 academics 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.

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 the Lim Family Early Childhood Library. The librarian guides students in grades nursery 3 through 2 as they become skilled and effective library users, developing lifelong habits of reading, inquiry, curiosity, and creativity. Students also develop an appreciation for literature, learn to identify genres and develop an understanding of their own reading preferences in library classes. Additionally, the librarian takes a leadership role in the school by sharing their expertise with colleagues. The librarian helps assist adults in the Early Childhood 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, parents, other faculty members, Extended Day staff, and other librarians within our schools.

This position is a One-Year Only position.

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 division through book-talks, 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.

• Collaborates with teachers to prepare integrated lesson plans and schedule space.

• 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 division 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.

Additional Requirements ​​
 

Education, Experience, or Certifications:    

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree required.

• Master’s degree in library and information science with emphasis in school librarianship from an ALA-accredited school preferred.

Experience:   

• Experience with storytelling and children’s literature required.

• Completed MLIS coursework and/or 1-3 years of professional experience working with young children in a library setting required.

Technical Knowledge or Skills:

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

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:

• Standard office environment.

• Ability to work in a moderate dust environment.

• Ability to move in and around the classroom/building to interact with students, faculty, staff, parents, and other members of the community.

• Ability to move class-related equipment/tools, as appropriate, around school property.

• When appropriate, the ability to escort children from one classroom to another, in and out of the building during arrival and dismissal, and in an emergency situation.

• Ability to demonstrate lessons, when appropriate.

Required Documents:

• Resume

• Cover letter

• Professional References (3)

When applying, the document(s) MUST  be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Benefit Eligibility ​
 
Yes

Requires Compliance with University Covid-19 Vaccination Requirement
 

No

Pay Frequency ​
 
Monthly

Pay Range
 
Depends on Qualifications

Scheduled Weekly Hours ​
 
37.5

Union ​
 
000- American Federation of Teachers , Local 2063

Job is Exempt
 
Yes

Drug Test Required
 
No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
 
No

Health Screen Required
No

Posting Date ​
 
2024-03-08

Remove from Posting On or Before ​
 
2024-09-08

Posting Statement: ​​
 

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or 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.

 

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

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