Petersburg City Public Schools is hiring: Librarian (Library Media Specialist) i

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Job Summary: School librarians are the professional, certificated staff members charged with the instruction of students and daily operations of the library program at the school level.

Essential Job Functions:

• Operates and supervises the media center to which assigned.
• Evaluates, selects, and requisitions new media center materials.
• Assists teachers in selection of books and other instructional materials and makes media center materials available to supplement the instructional program.
• Instructs students and faculty in the use of library, media and audio visual materials and equipment.
• Teaches essential library skills.
• Informs teachers and other staff members concerning new materials the media center acquires.
• Maintains a comprehensive and efficient system for cataloging all media center materials and instructs teachers and students on use of the system.
• Arranges for inter library loan of materials of interest or use to teachers.
• Works with teachers in planning those assignments likely to lead to extended use of media center resources.
• Promotes appropriate conduct of students using media center facilities.
• Helps students to develop habits of independent reference work and to develop skills in the use of reference materials in relation to planned assignments.
• Presents and discusses materials with a class studying a particular topic, on the invitation of the teacher.
• Participates at curriculum meetings.
• Counsels with and gives reading guidance to students who have special reading problems or unusual intellectual interests.
• Arranges frequently-changing book-related displays and exhibits to interest the media center's patrons.
• Supervises media center aides in the performance of their duties.
• Removes obsolete and worn materials from the collections.
• Supervises the clerical routines necessary for the smooth operation of the media center.
• Selects and requisitions books, instructional aids, instructional supplies and equipment, maintains required inventory records.
• Attends staff meetings, P.T.A. meetings, and serves on staff committees as required.
• Maintains professional competence through in-service education activities.
• Performs other related duties as requested.

Leader: As a leader, the school librarian creates a collaborative learning environment for students that nurtures creative problem solving.

• Participate as an active member of decision making teams in the school
• Maintaining a cooperative relationship with administration, staff, students, parents, community and where applicable, local public libraries
• Participating in school improvement activities
• Sharing expertise by presenting at faculty meetings, in-service sessions, parent meetings, and school board meetings
• Creating an environment that is conducive to collaboration with teaching staff, active and participatory learning, and resource-based instructional practices
• Sharing with the school community and adhering to collaboratively developed and up-to-date district policies concerning issues such as materials selection, circulation, reconsideration of materials, copyright, privacy and acceptable use
• Embracing the use of instructional technology to engage students and improve learning while providing 24/7 access to digital information resources for the entire learning community
• Remaining current in professional practices and developments, information technologies, and educational research as it pertains to library programs.

Teacher: As a teacher, the school librarian empowers students to become critical thinkers, enthusiastic readers, skillful researchers, and ethical users of information.

• Reading for understanding, pleasure, and the exploration of diverse viewpoints and genres
• Using information for defined and self-defined purposes
• Accessing, evaluating, and communicating information regardless of format.
• Building on prior knowledge and constructing new knowledge
• Utilizing information in a variety of formats
• Collaborating with peers to enhance learning
• Self-assessing work and the work of collaborative learning groups

Instructional Partner: As an instructional partner the school librarian works with teachers and other educators to build and strengthen connections between student information and research needs, curricular content, learning outcomes, and information resources.

• Participating in the curriculum development process at both the school and district level to ensure that the district meets the full range of literacy skill necessary to meet content standards and develop lifelong learners
• Collaborating with teachers to design and teach engaging lessons and assessments that incorporate multiple literacies and foster critical thinking
• Assisting staff in the selection, evaluation, and use of resources, including Internet-based resources
• Participating in the implementation of collaboratively planned lessons by providing group and individual instruction, assessing student progress and evaluating activities to incorporate classroom objectives and information/digital literacy skills
• Partnering with the school community to create meaningful experiences and opportunities to promote a love of reading and lifelong learning

Information Specialist: As the information specialist, the school librarian provides leadership and expertise in the selection, acquisition, evaluation, and organization of resources and technology in all formats, as well as expertise in the ethical use of information.

• Developing and maintaining a collection of resources appropriate to the curriculum, the learners, and the teaching styles and instructional strategies of the school community
• Exemplifying competence in classifying, cataloging, processing, storage, and circulation of materials
• Cooperating and networking with other libraries, librarians, and agencies to provide access to resources beyond the school library
• Evaluating, promoting, and using existing and emerging technologies to support teaching and learning, supplement school resources, communicate with students and teachers, and provide 24/7 access to library services including a school library web page

Program Administrator: As program administrator, the school librarian works collaboratively with the learning community to define the policies of the school library program, guide and direct all library activities.

• Using strategic planning to insure continuous improvement of the program
• Ensuring that school library program goals are aligned to district goals and long-range strategic or comprehensive plans
• Using effective management skills to supervise personnel, resources, and facilities
• Training, preparing work for, supervising and evaluating library support staff, students and volunteers working within the school library program
• Preparing and implementing the school library budget including instructional resources, supplies, equipment and repairs in order to support both the curriculum and the goals of the library program, the school, and the district

Job Specifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required):

• Using information for defined and self-defined purposes
• Accessing, evaluating, and communicating information regardless of format.
• Building on prior knowledge and constructing new knowledge
• Utilizing information in a variety of formats

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education: A minimum of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with teaching certification
• Certification and License: Virginia Postgraduate Professional License or eligibility for Virginia licensure is required. Holds a valid certification in Library Science PK-12 from the Virginia Department of Education.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands: The duties are primarily performed in an office environment, with no unusual physical demands.