Library Technical Services Director jobs in Somerville, MA

Position: Director of Library Services

Department: Upper School - Library Services

Location: Wigglesworth, Milton Academy Campus, Milton, MA

Hours: Full-time with the flexibility to work nights and weekends

FLSA: Exempt

Classification: Faculty (Academic Year)

Milton Academy is an independent college preparatory K–12 school, boarding and day in grades 9–12, located just outside of Boston.

Milton Academy cultivates in our students a passion for learning and a respect for others. Milton students grow by developing their own identities, learning from and listening to the lived experiences of others, and living and working among peers whose differences they accept with respect and care.

In our ongoing work to create an environment that confronts bias, injustice, and bigotry, we encourage each other to be open to learning, explore our histories and identities, and seek to understand the world around us with a critical lens. At Milton, we prepare students to partner with their future communities to create a more just world, and to have the courage to speak up and live by our motto, “Dare to be true.”

Summary of Position:

The Director of Library Services plays a pivotal role in leading and managing all aspects of the library to support the Academy's learning community. This position involves collaborating with faculty, staff, and students to integrate research, information literacy, and technology into the curriculum. The Director oversees the library's operations, develops collections, provides reference services, and fosters a welcoming and inclusive environment for students' academic growth and development.

Other faculty member responsibilities at Milton Academy encompass advising, community, and residential life activities, among others. Please see the full job description for more information.

For 2024-25, the school seeks candidates who could contribute to the broader student experience, from co-curricular to athletic to residential life programming. Residential housing for the next school year is available. Strong candidates committed to living on campus may receive preference.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

Library Services

Leadership and Management

• Establish the librarian's role as a teacher, collaborator, facilitator, and partner within the Academy's learning community.

• Collaborate with the technology team to implement digital resources and tools.

• Collaborate with teachers and departments to design inquiry-based projects that incorporate research and information literacy skills into the curriculum.

• Evaluate and select library materials, considering relevance and quality

• Create an environment that promotes positive academic and social interactions among students and adults.

• Administer day-to-day library operations, including supervising staff, recruiting and retaining faculty, coordinating volunteers, and maintaining collections, budget management and resource allocation.

• Maintain a comprehensive collection development policy for both print and digital resources, updating the policies as technologies change; manage acquisition, cataloging, and organization of library materials.

• Demonstrate a commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives for a welcoming and student-centered library environment.

User Services and Support

• Provide exceptional customer service and support to library users, including students, faculty, and staff.

• Develop and deliver information literacy programs, workshops, and training sessions to enhance users' research and information skills.

• Offer reference and research assistance and reader’s advisory services to the Milton community.

• Foster partnerships and collaborations with academic departments and campus units

• Organize library events, exhibitions, and programs

• Represent the library in institutional committees and meetings, advocating for the library's resources and services.

• Oversee ongoing administration of the library's web pages.

Planning

• Develop and execute plans in alignment with institutional goals and objectives.

• Identify and implement innovative technologies and practices to enhance library services and operations.

• Research and stay up-to-date on emerging library service trends and best practices.

Community:

• Be a visible, accessible presence around campus.

• Contribute to creating a positive community culture that ensures students are heard, seen, valued, and cared for.

• Share in the enforcement of our expectations for students.

• Actively participate in greater community enrichment activities, such as advising a student activity, acting as a faculty sponsor to a student club, coaching an athletic team, leading an intramural sport or acting as an affinity group advisor.

• Complete all chaperone and/or supervisory duty, as assigned; lead and facilitate weekend programming / activities and supervise recreational activities both on and off campus.

Advising:

• Serve as an advisor to a group of up to nine students, engaging in advisor meetings each week.

• Connect, support, communicate, encourage, and celebrate each advisee

  • Facilitate students' social-emotional learning and growth in alignment with all school programming through small group meetings.

  • Build deep relationships with each advisee and assist them in navigating challenges they may encounter.

  • Form relationships with and act as a liaison between the school and advisee families; serve as the first point of contact between the school and families.

• Read and be familiar with all relevant materials, most importantly the Student Handbook and the sections of the US Faculty Handbook on academic regulations and diploma requirements.

• Be informed about course offerings for the following year and help each advisee select programs that are challenging and appropriate, as well as areas of special interest.

• Review each advisee’s grades and comments.

• Craft formal advisor reports for each advisee two times per year, offering overarching perspectives on their progress, and acknowledging a broader view of their academic and community achievements at Milton.

• Should an advisee need additional support in a particular area, be in steady contact with the advisee’s teachers, administrators, and/or other committees as needed.

• Attend all upper school student required weekly assemblies, programming, and special events (e.g., community service day, pep rallies).

• Attend class trips, retreats, and social events arranged by the director of student activities or the class dean.

Residential Life (if residing in on-campus housing)

• Act as a mentor and role model in all areas of the residential program, demonstrating a commitment to the success of each student, especially in the areas of social and emotional development.

• Contribute to creating a positive community culture within the dorms that ensures students are heard, seen, valued, and cared for.

• Be on call (on duty) as a dorm parent in a residential dorm once a week and on rotational weekends and ensure that all responsibilities and rules outlined in the faculty handbook around dorm supervision are adhered to.

• Facilitate and oversee programming when on duty and supervise recreational activities as assigned.

• Communicate regularly with other house staff as an opportunity to check in about the students in the dorm.

• Attend at least two dinners per week with the dorm community.

Other Professional Expectations and Responsibilities

• Work cooperatively with students, parents, peers, administration, and community members.

• Act in a manner that is respectful, generous toward others, supportive of colleagues, and based in a belief in the competence and good intentions of all members of the community.

• Communicate openly and promptly, supporting colleagues, students, and the integrity of the institution in conversations with students and parents.

• Create and maintain environments that are open and flexible, reflecting the school’s values related to diversity, equity, and belonging.

• Strive to grow and improve professionally, demonstrating a commitment to continuing professional development in alignment with the upper school’s growth statements.

• Exhibit skills in collaborative problem-solving, critical thinking, and teamwork.

• Meet deadlines.

• Attend all school-wide, divisional, and faculty meetings and events and serve on committees as required.

• Prepare for and participate in opening of school programming, family visit days, graduation, and all other key student/family moments that are part of the school calendar.

• Complete school-required training.

• Abide by the school’s policies and procedures as outlined in the provided handbooks.

• Communicate with the appropriate supervisor when unable to meet any professional obligation.

Supervision to be received: Supervised by the Academic Dean

Supervision to be exercised: Upper School Librarian and Part Time Library Assistant; library responsibilities for the Middle School Librarian; technical training and support of Lower School Librarian.

Education/Certification/Licensure

Required: Master's degree in Library and Information Science (M.I.L.S.) from an ALA or NCATE accredited program or a related field from an accredited institution.

Experience

Required: Minimum of 3 years of experience in library management or leadership roles.

Preferred: Experience working in an independent boarding/day school

Competencies

Required:

• Demonstrated knowledge of library operations, including collection development, cataloging, and reference services.

• Knowledge of current library technologies, digital resources, and information management systems.

• Familiarity with educational curriculum and pedagogy.

• Strong leadership and collaboration skills, working effectively with faculty, staff, and students.

• Excellent organizational and project management abilities with attention to detail.

• Understanding of curriculum integration, information literacy, and educational technologies.

• Ability to develop effective instruction programs based on information literacy principles.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Demonstrated computer expertise, including proficiency in Google Workspace, Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Cloud.

• Ability to work collaboratively with internal and external constituencies.

• Understanding of confidentiality and related issues.

• Receptive to supervision and professional development.

• Desire to be a part of a dynamic educational community.

Physical Abilities

Required:

• Must be able to work at a computer for up to 8 hours each day in conjunction with OSHA requirements.

• Able to lift boxes of books weighing as much as 40 pounds.

• Able to reach the top and bottom shelves of a 7 foot tall shelving unit, through use of appropriate supports (e.g., stepstool).

• To perform the following (but not limited to) types of physical demands: carrying, standing, pulling, pushing, squatting, seeing, hearing, sitting, attendance, climbing, walking, kneeling, speaking, reaching, twisting, writing.

• Must be able to move around the Milton Academy campus without restriction.

All interested internal candidates must complete an application for promotion or transfer and inform your supervisor as soon as possible.

The essential functions and basic skills have been included in this job description; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This position description is subject to change at any time.

An equal opportunity employer, Milton embraces diversity and the pursuit of excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race (including natural and protective hairstyle), color, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy related condition), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion, religious creed, physical or mental disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, ancestry, citizenship, national or ethnic origin or any other status protected by applicable law.