Librarian / Library Media Specialist (Part-Time)

Davis Chicago • Chicago, IL

14h • Onsite

About The Position

Davis School Chicago is hiring a half-time (0.5 FTE) founding Librarian / Library Media Specialist to build and operate the school’s library from its opening in fall 2027. Reporting to the Principal and working alongside the Head Librarian & Capstone Chair, this educator will establish the library’s systems, collections, digital resources, research support, and traditions. The library is envisioned as both a traditional library—with books and research assistance—and a welcoming, active space for making, learning games, quiet study, and public conversation.

The role includes standing up cataloging and circulation systems; developing print and digital collections with teachers and department chairs; managing databases and digital access; maintaining an organized and welcoming library space; and supporting makerspace and learning-games programs. The librarian will provide daily research help, teach and co-teach information literacy, support Capstone research, and incorporate educational technology and emerging research tools, including AI, into instruction and research support. The position also contributes to programming, school culture, family communication, interdisciplinary collaboration, and school goals, with participation in meetings, professional development, community events, and student activities scoped to a half-time role.

This is a founding position at Davis School Chicago, a proudly Jewish, college-preparatory high school opening in downtown Chicago in fall 2027. The school emphasizes intellectual rigor, warmth, evidence-based inquiry, critical thinking, innovation, and engagement with Jewish life and community. The anticipated annual compensation is $36,260–$68,550, based on half-time placement on the school’s established Faculty Salary Schedule. Paid leave and paid sick leave accrue as required by law; the position is not eligible for the school’s benefits package.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Evidence of having built a library, collection, or system that worked better as a result of the candidate’s work.
• Warm, relational, emotionally intelligent, intellectually rigorous, and committed to excellence.
• Ability to build and operate library systems, collections, and spaces that are used by students.
• Ability to teach students to find, evaluate, and use information effectively.
• Ability to thrive in ambiguity, solve problems, and create programs, systems, and traditions from the ground up.
• Commitment to critical thinking, evidence, learning, and meaningful debate.
• Collaborative approach that balances accountability, care, and results.
• Interest in contributing to Jewish life and community; the posting states that being Jewish is not a requirement.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s in Library and Information Science from an American Library Association-accredited program, or coursework toward it.
• Illinois School Librarian or Library Media Specialist certification.
• Experience in a school, academic, or research library.
• Experience in a college-preparatory, independent, Jewish day, or faith-based school.
• Fewer years of experience may be considered when accompanied by exceptional craft; the school says it hires for mastery, not seat time.

Responsibilities

• Stand up and maintain the library catalog, circulation, and other library systems.
• Build the opening-day print and digital collection in partnership with teachers and department chairs.
• Manage digital resources, databases, and associated access systems so they are used effectively.
• Keep the library organized, welcoming, and active across quiet-study, making, play, and public-conversation areas.
• Support makerspace and learning-games programs, including their training, safety, and equipment systems.
• Apply the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) National School Library Standards in daily practice.
• Provide day-to-day research help to students and faculty.
• Teach and co-teach information literacy, including finding, evaluating, citing, and using sources with academic integrity, aligned to the AASL Shared Foundations.
• Support the research needs of the Capstone program as students develop original work for presentation and defense.
• Integrate educational technology and emerging research tools, including AI, into instruction and research support.
• Help create library programming, including author visits, reading culture, learning games, and public conversation.
• Cultivate a reading culture built on complete works and wide browsing.
• Participate in faculty meetings, professional development, and community events as scoped for a half-time role.
• Help moderate student clubs and activities where scope allows.
• Communicate clearly with students, faculty, and families about library resources and services.
• Collaborate across academic departments on research-rich, interdisciplinary assignments.
• Partner with faculty and school leadership on school goals, curriculum development, and student success initiatives.
• Help establish the systems, traditions, and habits that make the library the school’s academic town square.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Mid Level