Library and Media Center Director

The Hun School of Princeton; Jersey City (NJ); On-site; USD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established educational institution seeks a dynamic Library and Media Center Director to lead the evolution of its library space. This role emphasizes creating a collaborative environment that fosters active learning and critical thinking among students. The ideal candidate will possess a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, along with excellent technology integration skills. Join a vibrant community dedicated to nurturing resilient character and inspiring joyful learning. This position offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of library services in a forward-thinking educational setting.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience as a school librarian or media specialist preferred.
• Excellent technology skills and experience integrating technology into the curriculum.

Responsibilities

• Create a flexible and inviting environment in the Library and Media Center.
• Collaborate with faculty to design inquiry-based learning experiences.
• Manage the annual budget for the Library and Media Center.

Skills

Collaboration

Critical Thinking

Technology Integration

Instructional Practices

Diversity and Inclusion

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Advanced Degree

Tools

Zoom

Job description

The Hun School of Princeton seeks a dynamic and creative Library and Media Center Director for a position beginning in August 2025.

We conceive of our Library and Media Center as an evolving space that meets the needs of all members of the Hun community. Our new Library and Media Center Director will be charged with ensuring that our library is a hub of our school both now and into the future:

A forward-looking library will include multifunctional spaces that facilitate studying, researching, meeting, creating, collaborating, and sharing of final student projects. The library continues to evolve with the needs of teacher and student researchers, making flexibility of space key. It should offer a physical and virtual access point to all formats of information, whether through the existing collection of print books or the growing collection of ebooks and other digital resources, including online subscription databases and the Internet itself. Even the most traditional library is a Makerspace - a place in which students compile and assimilate information into new knowledge. It also comes with experts - librarians - to assist students and faculty with their activities...Today, an intellectual "hum" is the new "quiet." Librarians function as instructors, coaches, teachers, and cheerleaders - while all around them students and teachers engage in multiple forms of learning. To spend a day in a contemporary school library is to witness what all the research says about quality education for the 21st century - educators and students engaged in research, collaboration, communication, problem solving, creativity, and more.

(Abarbanel, Elisabeth, Sarah Davis, Dorcas Hand, and Matthew Wittmer. "The New School Library," Independent School Magazine. Summer 2013.)

Responsibilities:

• Create and manage a flexible, safe, and inviting environment in the Library and Media Center that is conducive to active and participatory learning, resource-based instructional practices, and collaboration with teaching faculty.
• Collaborate with teachers and students at all grade levels to design and teach inquiry and learning experiences that incorporate diverse media and reinforce multiple literacies.
• Facilitate students and faculty / staff in effective use of ideas and information.
• Empower students to be critical thinkers, enthusiastic readers, skillful researchers, and ethical users of information.
• Serve on the Academic Leadership Team to help guide implementation of media in the curriculum and ensure literacy skills (information, media, visual, digital, and technological) are embedded at all levels.
• Manage and share policies regarding media selection, circulation, and acceptable use.
• Encourage the use of instructional technology to engage students and improve learning.
• Use effective management practices in ensuring the supervision and evaluation of Library and Media Center personnel.
• Prepare and manage the annual budget for the LMC in coordination with program and school goals.

• Contributions to Hun community life beyond the classroom in roles that could include serving as an advisor, coaching a sport, directing a co-curricular activity, or living on campus as a dorm parent (if the opportunity were to present itself).

Qualifications:

• A bachelor's degree; advanced degree preferred;
• Three years of full-time experience as a school librarian / school library media specialist is preferred, but other relevant experience will certainly be considered;
• A love for working with young people;
• A commitment to a diverse and inclusive community;
• A passion for teaching in an innovative, experiential, and student-centered environment;
• Ability to work collaboratively and effectively with students, parents, faculty, and staff;
• Personal qualities including resilience, approachability, and kindness;
• Excellent technology skills and experience integrating technology into the curriculum;
• Familiarity or experience with online instruction including the use of Zoom meeting technology;
• A desire to contribute to school life outside of the classroom on a lively boarding school campus.

ABOUT THE HUN SCHOOL

The Hun School of Princeton is a co-educational, private day and boarding school in Princeton, New Jersey. Individual attention and strong student-faculty relationships are the hallmarks of the School. On the 50-acre campus between Philadelphia and New York City, student-centered, hands-on learning prepares students for the global community in which they will live and work. The Hun School is comprised of nearly 700 students in its Middle School, Upper School, and Postgraduate Program. Our campus is home to students from twenty-two countries and fifteen states.

Our campus is located in historic Princeton, New Jersey, a short train ride away from both New York City (50 miles) and Philadelphia (45 miles). Home to Princeton University, The Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton Theological Seminary, and an array of cultural centers and organizations, Princeton is regarded as one of the most academically-minded communities in the world. Often named one of the country's best places to live, Princeton is a friendly, multicultural community surrounded by mountains, parks, and lakes. There are award-winning museums and theatres, celebrated public and private schools, destination restaurants and hotels, and a robust calendar of community events to enjoy.

Our mission:

The Hun School of Princeton empowers each student to thrive in a diverse and ever-changing world, by nurturing resilient character, providing individual mentorship, and inspiring vigorous and joyful learning.

Our community:

In our mission of educating global citizens with resilient character, we actively seek candidates who can bring a diversity of experiences and perspectives to our community. The Hun School of Princeton is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or any other characteristics or activity protected by law.

To apply: The Hun School of Princeton Employment Application

Please contact Daniel Walker, Dean of Faculty ([e-mail]), should you have any questions about the position, or Patrick Napolitano, Associate Director of Human Resources ([e-mail]), should you have any questions about the application process. No phone calls, please.