Early and Lower School Librarian

Ashley Hall Foundation•Charleston, SC

About The Position

Ashley Hall seeks a dedicated and dynamic Early Childhood and Lower School Librarian to support students and faculty in the Early School and Lower School divisions. Reporting to the Director of Library and Media Services, this role collaborates closely with fellow librarians, faculty, and academic administrators to develop innovative, curriculum-aligned programming that enhances teaching and learning. The Early Childhood and Lower School Librarian maintains a welcoming, engaging, and inclusive library environment that inspires curiosity, wonder, and a lifelong love of reading and learning. The successful candidate will co- cultivate an inviting space that supports academic excellence while encouraging students and faculty to make full and meaningful use of the library's resources. This position requires a strong commitment to student-centered learning, collaboration, and the thoughtful integration of information literacy, literature, and technology. Through intentional curation of resources, meaningful learning experiences, and strong partnerships with faculty and academic leaders, the librarian will support conceptual understanding, transdisciplinary inquiry, and a lifelong love of reading, research, and learning.

Requirements

Master's degree preferred in library sciences from an American Library Association accredited school
Minimum five (5) years experience working in a school / academic library
Extensive understanding of children's literature; specifically, current books and other texts across various genres and reading levels
Knowledge of the theories, principles, and techniques of librarianship
Expertise with library technologies and software
Excellent written and oral communication skills
Excellent organizational skills
Exceptional interpersonal skills with both students and adults
Positive, strong, work ethic, with the ability to meet deadlines in a timely manner

Nice To Haves

Demonstrate a commitment to student-centered learning
Embrace a collaborative, interdisciplinary, team-oriented approach to their work
Approach their work with students and faculty with patience, kindness, and humor
Help manage student behavior in a library setting and facilitate group activities
Be well-versed in print awareness and in read-alouds that build vocabulary, comprehension, and phonological awareness.
Be a thoughtful self-starter

Responsibilities

Curriculum Support Design and deliver developmentally appropriate, inquiry-based library instruction aligned with Early School Reggio and Lower School IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) curricula
Teach regular library classes to Primary through 1st Grade students
Collaborate with classroom teachers to integrate research, literacy, and information skills into units of inquiry
Support IB PYP learning by fostering student agency, conceptual thinking, and research skills
Create student-centered research tools and information guides that support transdisciplinary learning
Collaborate with faculty, IB Coordinators, and academic leaders on instructional planning and special projects
Partner with the Technology Integration Specialist to support ethical, effective use of digital tools and resources
Work in conjunction with the library team to select, acquire, and organize diverse texts and materials that align with the school's curricula needs as well as texts and materials that would be of interest to students in the early childhood program and lower school
Review, inventory, and organize collection/databases, weeding and replacing materials as needed
Guide students to find books that align with their interests, reading abilities, and course needs
Coordinate with academic departments and divisions to expand their collection in support of their curriculum
Work in partnership with the IB Coordinator and Reggio academic team to enhance existing collection to complement the school's IB and Reggio needs
Review, evaluate, and select books, reference works, databases, and media for the library
Support the cataloguing process
Direct special library activities including partnering with others to provide storytime, author visits, and book clubs partnering with others to coordinate the annual Book Festival and student Summer Reading titles
Develop activities highlighting the library on campus, including special exhibitions
Help manage library spaces creating an open and inviting environment for all students
Circulation Needs, help manage library's checkout system ensure materials are available to students and faculty students select age- and developmentally appropriate texts manage overdue books
Support in the purchase and distribution of textbooks for the school
Keep up to date with the latest research and trends in library and media sciences
Help supervise any parent or student volunteers
Perform additional duties as assigned