SY 26/27 Library Media Specialist

KIPP Kansas City•Kansas City, MO

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Library Media Specialist supports student growth and literacy at KIPP Kansas City Public Schools by delivering library instruction, managing resources and programs, and working with educators, families, and community members. The role serves students in kindergarten through eighth grade, helping them locate and engage with books, build reading habits, and strengthen literacy and information-use skills. The specialist collaborates with teachers to plan and co-teach library lessons, integrate library resources into classroom instruction, and share literacy best practices. The position manages the library’s physical and digital collections, including acquisitions, cataloging, processing, circulation, shelving, inventory, and weeding. It also supports reading programs, author visits, book fairs, literacy observances, and other initiatives; integrates technology into library services; and promotes digital citizenship and copyright awareness. The specialist advocates for library services, evaluates program effectiveness, and fosters an inclusive environment with resources and programming that reflect the school community. The role also includes designing and operating a system-wide Real-World Learning continuum aligned with Missouri workforce priorities. This involves coordinating student experiences and partnerships, ensuring quality and equitable access, managing logistics and documentation, and overseeing student experiences and events funded through grants. Other assigned school duties may include carpool, study hall, and lunch supervision. The position reports to work Monday through Friday in a typical school or office environment and may require travel to the work location and regional meetings or training.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree.
Valid Missouri teaching license with the required certification for the subject and level assigned. Applicants pursuing certification may apply, but required certifications must be acquired and on file with KIPP KC before the end of the first year of employment.
Demonstrated knowledge of the assigned core subject area.
Relentless focus on results and commitment to teamwork.
Deep commitment to educational equity and underserved communities.
Commitment to KIPP KC’s mission and values.
Ability to work collaboratively in a diverse environment.
Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and ability to foster an inclusive environment for students, staff, and families.
Ability to work effectively with colleagues and stakeholders and build strong relationships within the KIPP KC community.
Satisfactory outcome of a background check.
Ability to travel to the work location.
Ability to move about inside and outside the school or office throughout the workday and attend conferences, meetings, and training sessions both virtually and in person within the region.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with teachers to integrate library resources and literacy skills into classroom instruction and curriculum objectives.
Select and acquire library materials aligned with curriculum, student interests, and the diverse needs of the school community.
Teach students to find, evaluate, and use information from books, databases, and digital resources, while promoting digital citizenship and copyright awareness.
Organize and promote reading programs, author visits, book fairs, and other activities that encourage reading and lifelong learning.
Integrate technology tools and digital resources into library services and instruction, and assist students and teachers with educational software, databases, and digital storytelling tools.
Organize and maintain physical and digital collections, including cataloging, processing, shelving, weeding, circulation, and inventory.
Make purchasing recommendations that support users’ needs and interests and represent the student population.
Collaborate with educators, administrators, and community members on literacy initiatives and library programs, and stay informed about library science trends and practices.
Advocate for the library media program and communicate the value of library services to stakeholders.
Assess library programs and services through data collection and evaluation, using feedback to guide resources and program improvements.
Create an inclusive library environment and maintain displays, thematic promotions, bulletin boards, signage, and free-library and withdrawn-book donation activities.
Provide group instruction and individual guidance to K–8 students to help them locate books, engage appropriately with books, develop reading affinity, and build literacy, reading, and analysis skills.
Meet with teachers to co-plan and co-teach library lessons and consult with them about literacy best practices; share those practices during professional development.
Plan school library programs to meet identified needs and assist with preparation and implementation of the Scholastic Book Fair and other whole-school literacy initiatives.
Manage acquisitions, processing, organization, distribution, maintenance, and inventory of resources.
Carry out student discipline in accordance with KIPP Kansas City’s student code of conduct and policies, and promote positive attitudes toward the school library.
Maintain positive and effective relationships with team members, teachers, supervisors, students, and families; communicate with stakeholders according to school policies.
Design and operationalize a system-wide Real-World Learning continuum aligned to Missouri workforce priorities, including career awareness, exploration, preparation, and training.
Partner with staff and external partners to provide student experiences such as internships, apprenticeships, client-connected and project-based learning, entrepreneurial experiences, site visits, and job shadowing.
Establish quality assurance processes and oversee student placement, experience approval, documentation, and evaluation across schools.
Coordinate Real-World Learning logistics, including scheduling, transportation, risk management, and partner communications.
Monitor participation and outcomes to support equitable access across student groups and campuses.
Develop tools, frameworks, and training resources for consistent implementation, and manage student experiences and events through grants.
Perform other duties assigned by the Head of School or Division Head, such as carpool, study hall, or lunch duties.